title: Carpal tunnel syndrome: Clinical, electrophysiological, and ultrasonographic ratio after surgery.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and to highlight the ultrasonographic cross-sectional area (CSA) ratio as a tool for assessing outcomes by investigating postoperative changes.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty-four individuals with CTS were evaluated using the Boston questionnaire, nerve conduction studies, and ultrasound, preoperatively and at 3 weeks and 3 months postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Improved symptom scores, decreased CSA, and decreased CSA ratio were observed in the first 3 weeks, but functional improvement was also observed after 3 weeks postoperatively. The ratios between the CSA at the sites of enlargement and unaffected areas correlated significantly with the Padua classification, although the coefficient was not superior to the coefficient of CSA at the maximal swelling site.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Symptoms improved more rapidly than function after surgery. Measurement of the ultrasonographic CSA ratio may provide clinicians with a useful assessment tool after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Korea University College of Medicine, 80 Guro Gu, Guro Dong, Seoul, South Korea.
authors.forename: Jun Yeon
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Joon Shik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Sei Joo
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.forename: Sun Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Jin Seok
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Jeong
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology* / Q000601:surgery; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D013223:Statistics as Topic; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014463:Ultrasonography