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Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2013; 17(01): 028-033
DOI: 10.1055/s-0033-1333911
Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Philippe A. Peetrons
1   Department of Radiology, Hopitaux Iris Sud, Brussels, Belgium
,
Wafa Derbali
1   Department of Radiology, Hopitaux Iris Sud, Brussels, Belgium
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History

Publication Date:
13 March 2013 (online)

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Abstract

Ultrasound (US) of the carpal tunnel adds value to the usual electrophysiology diagnosis by confirming doubtful results or evaluating patients who do not improve after surgery. US sometimes provides the surgeon or the referring physician with important information about normal variants or common or even rare causes of the nerve compression. The size of the median nerve must be calculated in the short axis by measuring the nerve cross-sectional area where the nerve is the thickest, in most cases at the proximal entrance of the carpal tunnel. Because the threshold of the nerve size varies in the literature, it is best to consider the cross-sectional median nerve area <8 mm2 to rule out and ≥12 mm2 to rule in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Keywords

ultrasound - wrist - carpal tunnel - median nerve
 

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