title: Quantitative MRI analysis of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to try to find parametric ratios for the diagnosis and pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome using MR.
  
  
  METHODS
  Dominant side wrist MRI examinations of 27 female carpal tunnel patients and 21 normal females were compared. The carpal tunnel contents area / carpal tunnel cross section area ratio was defined, analysed and discussed with the literature.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Carpal tunnel contents / wrist area ratios of the carpal tunnel patients were measured and compared with the control group. This comparison revealed that the proportion of the contents of the carpal tunnel is increased in the carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Palmar bowing was found to be increased and median nerve cross section area was found to be increased at the proximal entrance of the carpal tunnel.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  As Phalen has postulated, the volume of the contents of the carpal tunnel were found to be increased in the carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Carpal tunnel cross section areas remained the same with the control group. This increase can be demonstrated by MRI imaging which can provide an evidence for the pathophysiology of carpal tunnel syndrome.
authors.affiliation: Ankara Guven Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Ankara, Turkey. koge59@gmail.com
authors.forename: Halil Kamil
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Oge
authors.forename: Berat
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Acu
authors.forename: Tacettin
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Gucer
authors.forename: Tugra
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yanik
authors.forename: Safak
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Savlarli
authors.forename: Mehmet Murat
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Firat
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000503:physiopathology*; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D014953:Wrist / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*