The role of ultrasonography in follow-up of carpaltunnel syndrome
Keywords:
carpal tunnel syndrome, diagnosis, ultrasonographyAbstract
OBJECTIVE: To describe the importance of ultrasonography in the detection and follow-up of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The electronic databases PubMed, SciElo, Virtual Health Library (VHL) and the publications repositories of UNESP and UNICAMP universities were accessed to identify articles that dealt with CTS in the English and Portuguese languages with the following mesh terms: carpal tunnel syndrome, diagnosis and ultrasonography. RESULTS: There is still no consensus in the literature regarding the measurement of the median nerve by ultrasonography to diagnose CTS, however, studies show cut values > 2 mm2 for non-bifid nerves and > 4 mm² for bifid nerves. Abrupt changes in the caliber of the nerve in the proximal part of the carpal tunnel known as notch sign signal denote the presence of CTS. Studies published between 2011 and 2015 verified a sensitivity of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of CTS that varied from 45 to 98%, and the specificity ranged from 48 to 97%. The maximum accuracy was 97%. CONCLUSION: Ultrasonography is useful for diagnosis and monitoring of the severity of CTS, with a sensitivity that can reach 98% and a specificity of up to 97%.