Evidence-based guideline: Neuromuscular ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Catherine French; Michael S. Cartwright; Lisa D. Hobson-Webb; Andrea J. Boon; Katharine E. Alter; Christopher H. Hunt; Victor H. Flores; Robert A. Werner; Steven J. Shook; T. Darrell Thomas; Scott J. Primack; Francis O. Walker

doi:10.1002/mus.23389

Evidence-based guideline: Neuromuscular ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Catherine French, Michael S. Cartwright, Lisa D. Hobson-Webb, Andrea J. Boon, Katharine E. Alter, Christopher H. Hunt, Victor H. Flores, Robert A. Werner, Steven J. Shook, T. Darrell Thomas, Scott J. Primack, Francis O. Walker

Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review

187 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based guideline for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Two questions were asked: (1) What is the accuracy of median nerve cross-sectional area enlargement as measured with ultrasound for the diagnosis of CTS? (2) What added value, if any, does neuromuscular ultrasound provide over electrodiagnostic studies alone for the diagnosis of CTS? A systematic review was performed, and studies were classified according to American Academy of Neurology criteria for rating articles of diagnostic accuracy (question 1) and for screening articles (question 2). Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area at the wrist is accurate and may be offered as a diagnostic test for CTS (Level A). Neuromuscular ultrasound probably adds value to electrodiagnostic studies when diagnosing CTS and should be considered in screening for structural abnormalities at the wrist in those with CTS (Level B).

Original language	English (US)
Pages (from-to)	287-293
Number of pages	7
Journal	Muscle and Nerve
Volume	46
Issue number	2
DOIs	https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.23389
State	Published - Aug 2012

Keywords

Carpal tunnel syndrome
Median nerve
Mononeuropathy
Nerve conduction studies
Ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

Physiology
Clinical Neurology
Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
Physiology (medical)

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title = "Evidence-based guideline: Neuromuscular ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome",

abstract = "Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based guideline for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Two questions were asked: (1) What is the accuracy of median nerve cross-sectional area enlargement as measured with ultrasound for the diagnosis of CTS? (2) What added value, if any, does neuromuscular ultrasound provide over electrodiagnostic studies alone for the diagnosis of CTS? A systematic review was performed, and studies were classified according to American Academy of Neurology criteria for rating articles of diagnostic accuracy (question 1) and for screening articles (question 2). Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area at the wrist is accurate and may be offered as a diagnostic test for CTS (Level A). Neuromuscular ultrasound probably adds value to electrodiagnostic studies when diagnosing CTS and should be considered in screening for structural abnormalities at the wrist in those with CTS (Level B).",

keywords = "Carpal tunnel syndrome, Median nerve, Mononeuropathy, Nerve conduction studies, Ultrasound",

author = "Catherine French and Cartwright, {Michael S.} and Hobson-Webb, {Lisa D.} and Boon, {Andrea J.} and Alter, {Katharine E.} and Hunt, {Christopher H.} and Flores, {Victor H.} and Werner, {Robert A.} and Shook, {Steven J.} and Thomas, {T. Darrell} and Primack, {Scott J.} and Walker, {Francis O.}",

year = "2012",

month = aug,

doi = "10.1002/mus.23389",

language = "English (US)",

volume = "46",

pages = "287--293",

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AU - French, Catherine

AU - Cartwright, Michael S.

AU - Hobson-Webb, Lisa D.

AU - Boon, Andrea J.

AU - Alter, Katharine E.

AU - Hunt, Christopher H.

AU - Flores, Victor H.

AU - Werner, Robert A.

AU - Shook, Steven J.

AU - Thomas, T. Darrell

AU - Primack, Scott J.

AU - Walker, Francis O.

PY - 2012/8

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N2 - Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based guideline for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Two questions were asked: (1) What is the accuracy of median nerve cross-sectional area enlargement as measured with ultrasound for the diagnosis of CTS? (2) What added value, if any, does neuromuscular ultrasound provide over electrodiagnostic studies alone for the diagnosis of CTS? A systematic review was performed, and studies were classified according to American Academy of Neurology criteria for rating articles of diagnostic accuracy (question 1) and for screening articles (question 2). Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area at the wrist is accurate and may be offered as a diagnostic test for CTS (Level A). Neuromuscular ultrasound probably adds value to electrodiagnostic studies when diagnosing CTS and should be considered in screening for structural abnormalities at the wrist in those with CTS (Level B).

AB - Introduction: The purpose of this study was to develop an evidence-based guideline for the use of neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Two questions were asked: (1) What is the accuracy of median nerve cross-sectional area enlargement as measured with ultrasound for the diagnosis of CTS? (2) What added value, if any, does neuromuscular ultrasound provide over electrodiagnostic studies alone for the diagnosis of CTS? A systematic review was performed, and studies were classified according to American Academy of Neurology criteria for rating articles of diagnostic accuracy (question 1) and for screening articles (question 2). Results: Neuromuscular ultrasound measurement of median nerve cross-sectional area at the wrist is accurate and may be offered as a diagnostic test for CTS (Level A). Neuromuscular ultrasound probably adds value to electrodiagnostic studies when diagnosing CTS and should be considered in screening for structural abnormalities at the wrist in those with CTS (Level B).

KW - Carpal tunnel syndrome

KW - Median nerve

KW - Mononeuropathy

KW - Nerve conduction studies

KW - Ultrasound

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Evidence-based guideline: Neuromuscular ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

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