title: The Role of Wrist Magnetic Resonance Imaging in the Differential Diagnosis of the Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the commonest compressive neuropathy. Electromyography (EMG) is accepted as gold standard in diagnosis of CTS. However, pathologies and variations that are associated with a various findings may lead to failure.
  
  
  METHODS
  Magnetic resonance Imaging (MRI) was applied to 69 wrists of 55 patients, who received a diagnosis of CTS by means of clinical and electrodiagnostic testing (EDT) during the years 2011 and 2013.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We detected a total of 71 additional pathologies in MRI analyses: 29 degenerative bone cysts, 28 ganglion cysts, 8 tenosynovitis, and 6 avascular necroses. While the MRI detected 44 (59.5%) additional radiological pathologies in 39 wrists diagnosed with mid-level CTS by means of EMG, the number of detected additional pathologies was 27 (36.5%) in 30 wrists diagnosed with advanced-level CTS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Wrist MRI is an effective means to reveal associated pathologies in patients diagnosed with CTS by means of clinical testing and EDT. Additional pathologies may not only change the applicable type of surgery, but also decrease the number of postoperative failures. Wrist MRI is recommended, especially for young cases with unilateral CTS history accompanied by dubious clinical symptoms and lacking any pronounced predisposing factors.
authors.affiliation: Umraniye Teaching and Research Hospital, Department of Neurosurgery, Istanbul, Turkey.
authors.forename: Mehmet Resid
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Onen
authors.forename: Ali Erhan
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Kayalar
authors.forename: Elif Nurbegum
authors.initials: EN
authors.lastname: Ilbas
authors.forename: Recai
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gokcan
authors.forename: Ilker
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Gulec
authors.forename: Sait
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Naderi
mesh_terms: D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014953:Wrist / Q000473:pathology*; D014955:Wrist Joint