The Role of Nerve Conduction Comparison Test and Ultrasonography in Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome |
Kyusik Ahn, Michelle Youn, Jong-Moo Park, Jung-Ju Lee, Woong-woo Lee, Kyusik Kang, Byung-Kun Kim, Ohyun Kwon |
Department of Neurology, Nowon Eulji Medical Center, Eulji University, Seoul, Korea |
손목굴증후군 진단에 있어 신경전도 비교 검사와 초음파 검사의 역할 |
안규식, 윤소정, 박종무, 이정주, 이웅우, 강규식, 김병건, 권오현 |
노원을지대학교병원 신경과 |
Correspondence:
Ohyun Kwon, Tel: +82-2-970-8312, Fax: +82-2-970-8000, Email: koh1407@eulji.ac.kr |
Received: 19 May 2019 • Revised: 26 June 2020 • Accepted: 13 July 2020 |
Abstract |
Background The median-to-ulnar comparison test (MUCT), and increasingly, ultrasonography (US) are considered as complementary to and more sensitive than median nerve conduction study (NCS) in diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods In consecutive patients with hand paresthesia compatible with CTS but with normal median NCS, we additionally performed the MUCT and analyzed whether it yielded better diagnostic sensitivity.
Results In total, 163 hands of clinically diagnosed CTS patients were examined with routine NCS. The MUCT and US were performed in 81 hands and 31 hands, respectively. While median NCS was diagnostic in 85 (52.1%) hands, MUCT failed to demonstrate superior sensitivity over median NCS in the other hands and US revealed related abnormalities better than both routine NCS (p=0.006) and MUCT (p=0.002).
Conclusions The MUCT offered no additional diagnostic benefit. On the other hand, sonographic examination had higher sensitivity for the diagnosis of CTS when applying several diagnostic criteria. Thus, US could be the screening test for diagnosing CTS prior to NCS with higher sensitivity than MUCT. However, further studies are needed to define the appropriate diagnostic criteria for US. |
Key Words:
Carpal tunnel syndrome, Comparative study, Ultrasonography, Electromyography |
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