title: Sonography in carpal tunnel syndrome with normal nerve conduction studies.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We assessed the yield of high-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) in patients with clinically definite carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and normal nerve conduction studies (NCS).
  
  
  METHODS
  This blinded, prospective, cross-sectional study involved 35 patients (60 hands) with clinically definite CTS and normal NCS, and 20 controls (40 hands). Cross-sectional area (CSAs) of the median nerve at the level of the pisiform bone and flexor retinaculum thickness (FRT) were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  CSA was abnormal in 48.6% of patients (confidence interval 32.0-65.2%, P = 0.95). FRT was increased in only 34.3% (18.3-49.7%), but was independently abnormal in 2 patients. CSA abnormalities correlated with positive provocative tests and sensory loss. The HRUS changes were mild.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  HRUS confirms clinically diagnosed CTS in about half of the patients with normal NCS.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Ibn Sina Hospital, POB 25427, Safat, 13115, Kuwait.
authors.forename: Jasem Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Al-Hashel
authors.forename: Hanaa M
authors.initials: HM
authors.lastname: Rashad
authors.forename: Mohamed R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Nouh
authors.forename: Hanan A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Amro
authors.forename: Adnan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Khuraibet
authors.forename: Todor
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Shamov
authors.forename: Plamen
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Tzvetanov
authors.forename: Rossen T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Rousseff
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: CTS; carpal tunnel syndrome; median nerve; mononeuropathy; nerve conduction studies; ultrasound