title: Use of diffusion tensor imaging for nonsurgical treatments of carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study evaluated the applicability of diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) of therapeutic ultrasound (US) and wrist splints in addition to clinical and electrophysiological assessments of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective study analyzed 41 patients (30 women, 11 men; 56 wrists) with CTS. Therapeutic US and wrist splints were performed for 3 and 4 weeks, respectively. Fractional anisotropy and the apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) were evaluated in addition to a visual analog scale (VAS), symptom severity scale (SSS), functional status scale (FSS), and electrodiagnostic studies (EDX) before and after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant decreases in the mean ADC, VAS, SSS, FSS, and EDX after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study suggests that DTI parameters provide helpful information that complements clinical and electrophysiological assessments for evaluating the efficacy of nonsurgical treatment of patients with CTS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Medical Faculty of Adiyaman University, Adiyaman, Turkey.
authors.forename: Adem
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yildirim
authors.forename: Haci Taner
authors.initials: HT
authors.lastname: Bulut
authors.forename: Burcu
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Ekmekci
authors.forename: Gülseren Dost
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Surucu
authors.forename: Mehmet
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Karabiber
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D056324:Diffusion Tensor Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010147:Pain Measurement; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014464:Ultrasonic Therapy
keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; diffusion tensor imaging; electrodiagnostic studies; therapeutic ultrasound; wrist splint