title: Median nerve changes following steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromuscular ultrasound is a painless, radiation-free, high-resolution imaging modality for assessment of the peripheral nervous system. The purpose of this study was to use neuromuscular ultrasound to assess the changes that occur in the median nerve after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  Ultrasound and nerve conduction studies were performed at baseline and 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after steroid injection in 19 individuals (29 wrists) with CTS.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant changes were noted in median nerve cross-sectional area (P < 0.001), mobility (P = 0.001), and vascularity (P = 0.042) at the distal wrist crease after steroid injection, and the nerve cross-sectional area correlated with symptom score and electrodiagnostic parameters. Changes in the ultrasonographic parameters were seen within 1 week of injection.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings suggest neuromuscular ultrasound is potentially helpful for the assessment of individuals undergoing treatment for CTS, as typical changes can be expected after successful treatment injection.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Wake Forest University School of Medicine, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. mcartwri@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cartwright
authors.forename: David L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: White
authors.forename: Samantha
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Demar
authors.forename: Ethan R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Wiesler
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sarlikiotis
authors.forename: George D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Chloros
authors.forename: Joon Shik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sun Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Joseph A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Molnar
authors.forename: Anthony J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Defranzo
authors.forename: Francis O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000187:drug effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013256:Steroids / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D014463:Ultrasonography
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids