title: Sonographic wrist measurements and detection of anatomical features in carpal tunnel syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This study compares anatomical findings at wrist level in patients with known carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and controls by ultrasonography (US).
  
  
  METHODS
  Wrist-US investigations of 28 consecutive patients with 38 diagnosed, idiopathic CTS were compared to 49 healthy volunteers without history of CTS. Internal wrists dimensions, the presence of flexor muscle bellies in the carpal tunnel, and cross-sectional area of the median nerve were analyzed. The findings were correlated to gender, age, and BMI.
  
  
  RESULTS
  US demonstrated a square internal carpal tunnel configuration in CTS patients compared to controls (P < 0.001). Patients with CTS showed a trend towards the presence of flexor muscles bellies in the carpal tunnel (odds ratio 1.77, 95% CI 0.337-8.33). CTS was present in women with higher BMI (P = 0.015).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US allowed detection of specific anatomical features at wrist level in CTS patients. This observation may enable--following confirmation in larger prospective studies--risk evaluation for CTS development.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstraße, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Esther
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Vögelin
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstraße, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mészàros
authors.affiliation: Etude Suisse de Cohorte VIH, CHUV, Bipôle 2, Route de la Corniche 10, 1010 Lausanne, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Franziska
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Schöni
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Hand Surgery, University Hospital, Inselspital, University of Bern, Freiburgstraße, 3010 Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Mihai A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Constantinescu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014953:Wrist / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*