Effects of the Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome with Surgery and Injections on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)

Background: The prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and of anxiety and depression in primary care practice are high. Different studies had shown an increased prevalence of anxiety and depression in CTS patients. Nevertheless, few papers had been published studying the anxiety and depression scales in the treatment of CTS, either with corticosteroid injections (I) or with surgical decompression (S). Objective: To assess whether clinical improvement observed after the treatment of CTS either with I or with S correlates with an improvement in the punctuations of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression scales (HADS), at 3, 6 and 12-month follow-up. Methods: Randomized and open-label clinical trial, comparing I and S. Patients with symptoms suggestive of CTS (nocturnal paraesthesias) of at least 3 months duration and neurophysiological confirmation were included. Patients with clinically apparent motor impairment were excluded. The subjective evaluation of symptoms was carried out using the visual-analogue scale of pain (VAS-p). Clinical reviews were performed 3, 6 and 12 months after treatment. Each patient completed the HADS questionnaire and a VAS-p at 0, 3, 6, and 12 months. Statistical significance was established using the Student’s t test and the Mann-Whitney U test when necessary. A linear regression analysis was used to know the effect of the treatment adjusted for the initial score of both scales. Results: 65 patients were included (30 in group I and 35 in group S). There was no statistical difference between both groups in terms of age, gender distribution, disease duration, VAS-p, neurophysiological testing severity of CTS or the 8 subscales of HADS. Both groups improved significantly in relation to the baseline VAS-p values, in the reviews at 3, 6 and 12 months, with no significant differences between I and S. At 6 months, the reduction in the anxiety scale was around 3 points for both treatments (S = 3.6 and I = 3.2), without reaching significant differences. At 12 months, it was somewhat higher for those treated with I, but always around 3 points and without significant differences. The Depression scale score was slightly reduced at 6 months, and in a similar way for both groups (I = 1 and S = 1.19;p = 0.8). After 12 months, group I doubled the previous reduction, with group S experiencing a very slight change (I = 1.96 and S = 1.03;p = 0.3). When analysing the effect of group S on group I, the result was a reduction of 0.25 points for Anxiety (p = 0.7) and of 0.02 points for Depression (p = 0.9). Conclusions: Treatment of CTS with I or S results in a similar and discrete improvement in Anxiety scores on the HADS scale at 6 and 12 months. For both types of treatment, the Depression scores barely changed at 6 months, being somewhat higher in group I after 12-month follow-up. The independent effect of the S on both scales is small and not significant.

Subsequent bilateral acute carpal tunnel syndrome due to tophaceous infiltration:A case report

BACKGROUND Acute carpal tunnel syndrome(ACTS)is commonly caused by repetitive strain,trauma,or inflammatory conditions.However,ACTS due to tophaceous gout is a clinical event that remains poorly understood and underreported.This rare manifestation necessitates prompt diagnosis and intervention to prevent irreversible complications.CASE SUMMARY A 51-year-old man who had poorly controlled hyperuricemia presented with ACTS secondary to tophaceous gout.Because of rapid symptom progression symptoms and severe median nerve compression within 3 mo,the patient underwent emergency decompression surgery for both wrists at different time points.Postoperatively,he exhibited complete recovery of sensory and motor functions,with no recurrence at long-term follow-up.Favorable outcomes were achieved through immediate decompression surgery,anti-inflammatory medications,postoperative active and passive range-of-motion exercises,and intermittent wrist splinting.Prompt diagnosis and surgical intervention,when necessary,are crucial for preventing long-term complications and obtaining favorable outcomes in patients with ACTS.An optimal gout management strategy involving pharmacologic therapy and lifestyle modifications may help minimize ACTS recurrence and improve clinical outcomes.CONCLUSION Prompt surgical intervention and optimal gout management are crucial for preventing irreversible nerve damage and ACTS recurrence.

Bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome and motor dysfunction caused by gout and type 2 diabetes:A case report

BACKGROUND Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS)has been associated with gout and type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).However,due to insufficient clinical understanding of goutrelated CTS and reliance on the diagnostic importance of elevated serum uric acid levels,such cases are prone to missed diagnosis,misdiagnosis,and delayed treatment.In addition,the effect of T2DM on gout-induced carpal tunnel syndrome has not been reported.CASE SUMMARY Herein,we present an unusual case of CTS and motor dysfunction caused by miliary tophaceous gout and T2DM.The patient presented to the hand and foot clinic with paresthesia of the fingers of both hands,especially at night.The patient was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes a month ago.Ultrasonography revealed bilateral transverse carpal ligament thickening with median nerve compression during hospitalization.The patient was successfully treated with carpal tunnel decompression and tendon release.The postoperative pathological examination revealed typical gout nodules.This case suggests that the presence of T2DM could accelerate tophi formation and worsen CTS symptoms,although no definitive proof in this regard has been described previously.CONCLUSION Tophi formation may most likely cause the co-occurrence of CTS and flexor dysfunction in gout and incipient diabetes patients.

Screening for Transthyretin Cardiac Amyloidosis in Patients with Bilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Identifying Missed Opportunities for Early Detection and Treatment

Purpose: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis (ATTR-CA) has been linked to many extra-cardiac manifestations including bilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The aim of this study is to analyze patients with bilateral CTS to identify patients with high-risk features or “red flags” for ATTR-CA, identify if systematic screening was done for ATTR-CA and define opportunities for improved detection. Methods: Out of >5000 patients with bilateral CTS evaluated in a single tertiary care center in Southeast Michigan (2010-2016), we retrospectively studied a focused population of patients: men > 50 years and women > 60 years old with bilateral CTS and atrial fibrillation (n = 295). Baseline demographic, comorbidities, and electrocardiographic and echocardiographic findings were analyzed. A high-risk group suspicious for ATTR-CA was identified as patients with bilateral CTS, atrial fibrillation, and concomitant “red flags” including heart failure and left ventricular hypertrophy. Results: Out of 295 patients, 51.2% were female, 75.6% were White, and 22.4% were African American. Upon comparing the high-risk group (n = 67) with the remaining study population (n = 228), both diagnosis of ATTR-CA and mortality were higher among the high-risk group (7.5% vs 0.4% and 43.3% vs 24.6%, respectively, P = 0.003). Conclusions: A substantial number of bilateral CTS patients had additional “red flags” warranting formal evaluation for ATTR-CA;however, systematic evaluation for cardiac amyloidosis was not performed in many patients. This emphasizes that Multidisciplinary collaboration is needed to create a systematic workflow and to raise awareness amongst cardiologists and other physicians for suspecting ATTR-CA in bilateral CTS patients who have additional “red flags”.

Carpel Tunnel Syndrome: A Link with Vitamin D, Body Mass Index and Hyperlipidemia

Introduction: Carbai tunnel syndrome [CTS] is compression of the median nerve at the wrist , this causes tingling in the hands, pain, numbness, tingling in the fingers particularly the thumb, index and middle fingers, loss of sensation in the hands and fingers, also weakness in the hands. The aim of the present study was to study a possible association which could be found between electrophysiological data in CTS, BMI, hyperlipidemia, and vitamin D [Vit D] levels. Methods: We used a sample of 40 females of the same age group, who were divided into Group 1 as a control consists of 18 healthy females and Group II consisted of 22 age matched females with clinical and electrophysiological evidence of CTS. We measured atherogenic index [AI] as a marker of hyperlipidemia, body mass index [BMI], Vit D status and electrophysiological tests of CTS. Results: Subjects with CTS had deficient Vit D status, they had significantly high atherogenic index (AI), and significant high BMI all compared to control Group I. Median sensory conduction velocity was significantly correlated negatively with BMI and atherogenic index, and positively correlated significantly with Vit D status. But median sensory and motor action potential latency were significantly correlated positively with BMI and atherogenic index, and negatively correlated significantly with Vit D status The analysis revealed BMI, atherogenic index and Vit D status as predictors of median nerve sensory and motor action potential latency and sensory nerve conduction velocity in CTS. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that obesity and hyperlipidemia are potent CTS risk factors and declared the direct association between Vit D status and CTS occurrence. Our study supports the notion of the compensatory neuroprotective role of Vit D which could have a direct impact on the nerves integrity as it has an anti-inflammatory property which acts in relieving nervous insults and stress. .

CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME：ETIOLOGICAL，CLINICAL AND ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL ASPECTS OF 262 CASES

Two hundred and sixty-two patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) were analyzed retrospectively. Results showed that middle-and older-age women were more apt to have CTS than men, and that the dominant hand was more frequently affected. Hormonal changes , repetitive and forceful movements, awkward positions of hand and wrist, and other factors may be associated with CTS. Typical clinical manifestations include pain and paresthesia in the median nerve territory, worsening at night or in the early morning , and being relieved by shaking the hand. Although the patients may localize the discomfort beyond the territory, sensory changes are variable and not entirely reliable. Conduction abnormalities often appeared selectively in the median nerve distal to the wrist in CTS. If the patient who is clinically suggestive of CTS shows normal conduction with conventional methods, palmar stimulation and inching technique is recommended. The diagnosis of CTS requires confirmation of illness history, symptoms and signs with objective electrodiagnostic tests.

Single injection of platelet-rich plasma as a novel treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

Both in vitro and in vivo experiments have confirmed that platelet-rich plasma has therapeutic effects on many neuropathies, but its effects on carpal tunnel syndrome remain poorly understood. We aimed to investigate whether single injection of platelet-rich plasma can improve the clinical symptoms of carpal tunnel syndrome. Fourteen patients presenting with median nerve injury who had suffered from mild carpal tunnel syndrome for over 3 months were included in this study. Under ultrasound guidance, 1-2 m L of platelet-rich plasma was injected into the region around the median nerve at the proximal edge of the carpal tunnel. At 1 month after single injection of platelet-rich plasma, Visual Analogue Scale results showed that pain almost disappeared in eight patients and it was obviously alleviated in three patients. Simultaneously, the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand questionnaire showed that upper limb function was obviously improved. In addition, no ultrasonographic manifestation of the carpal tunnel syndrome was found in five patients during ultrasonographic measurement of the width of the median nerve. During 3-month follow-up, the pain was not greatly alleviated in three patients. These findings show very encouraging mid-term outcomes regarding use of platelet-rich plasma for the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome.

Predicting the Outcome of Nerve Conduction Studies in Patients with Suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Using an Existing Carpal Tunnel Assessment Tool

This service evaluation and pilot study was designed to establish whether a clinical questionnaire could be incorporated within our Secondary Care Carpal Tunnel Service. The purpose of the questionnaire is to predict the positive and negative results of Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) in those patients with suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. The hand specialist, preceding NCS administered the questionnaire;it was then scored at a later date. Results showed a sensitivity of 86% and specificity of 84% referring to the ability to predict a positive NCS when using a predetermined cut-off score. When analysed with Receiver Operating Characteristics, a threshold score could be determined in order to obtain 100% sensitivity/specificity. This questionnaire can be used as a useful adjunct to assessment of those presenting with suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Using the questionnaire to identify those patients scoring outside a predetermined threshold range would reduce the need for NCS by nearly 50%, with significant cost and clinical practice implications.

Does the ratio of the carpal tunnel inlet and outlet cross-sectional areas in the median nerve reflect carpal tunnel syndrome severity?

Although ultrasound measurements have been used in previous studies on carpal tunnel syndrome to visualize injury to the median nerve, whether such ultrasound data can indicate the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome remains controversial. The cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the tunnel inlet and outlet can show swelling and compression of the nerve at the carpal. We hypothesized that the ratio of the cross-sectional areas of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet to outlet accurately reflects the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome. To test this, high-resolution ultrasound with a linear array transducer at 5–17 MHz was used to assess 77 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The results showed that the cut-off point for the inlet-to-outlet ratio was 1.14. Significant differences in the inlet-to-outlet ratio were found among patients with mild, moderate, and severe carpal tunnel syndrome. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.29 between mild and more severe（moderate and severe） carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 64.7% sensitivity and 72.7% specificity. The cut-off point in the ratio of cross-sectional areas of the median nerve was 1.52 between the moderate and severe carpal tunnel syndrome patients with 80.0% sensitivity and 64.7% specificity. These results suggest that the inlet-to-outlet ratio reflected the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome.

PROSPECTIVE COMPARISON OF ENDOSCOPIC AND OPEN SURGICAL METHODS FOR CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Objective To compare outcomes of patients undergoing either open or endoscopic carpal tunnel release for the treatment of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods A prospective, randomized study was performed on 70 hands in 62 patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome from April 2000 to April 2004. Either open (36 hands in 30 patients) or endoscopic (34 hands in 32 patients) carpal tunnel release was performed randomly. Symptom improvement, complications, and the time of operation, in-hospital stay, and return to work between the two groups were assessed with average 2 years of follow-up. The electromyography was tested pre- and 3 months post-operation. Results There were no significant differences between the two surgical groups with regard to postoperative improvements of symptom, electromyography tests, and the incidence of complications. But it was statistically less in the rate of scar tenderness, the time of operation, in-hospital stay, and return to work in the endoscopic group compared with the open group (P<0.05). Conclusions The endoscopic carpal tunnel release is a reliable method in the treatment of idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome. And it has the advantages of slight scar tenderness, less operation time, less in-hospital stay, early functional recovery, safety, and high satisfaction rate compared with open methods.

Axonal degeneration of the ulnar nerve secondary to carpal tunnel syndrome: fact or fiction?

The distribution of sensory symptoms in carpal tunnel syndrome is strongly dependent on the degree of electrophysiological dysfunction of the median nerve. The association between carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve entrapment is still unclear. In this study, we measured ulnar nerve function in 82 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. The patients were divided into group I with minimal carpal tunnel syndrome （n = 35） and group II with mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome （n = 47） according to electrophysiological data. Sixty-one age- and sex-matched subjects without carpal tunnel syndrome were used as a control group. There were no significant differences in ulnar sensory nerve peak latencies or conduction velocities from the 4th and 5th fingers between patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and the control group. The ulnar sensory nerve action potential amplitudes from the 4th and 5th fingers were lower in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome than in the control group. The ratios of the ulnar sensory nerve action potential amplitudes from the 4th and 5th fingers were almost the same in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome as in the control group. These findings indicate that in patients with minimal to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome, there is some electrophysiological evidence of traction on the adjacent ulnar nerve fibers. The findings do not indicate axonal degeneration of the ulnar nerve.

Clinical characteristics,neurophysiological grade and outcome of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome A retrospective study

BACKGROUND： Carpal tunnel syndrome （CTS） is diagnosed mainly according to clinical symptoms, physical sign and neurodiagnostic laboratory examination. The therapeutic effect of conservative management and surgical operation in treating CTS need to be further observed and evaluated. OBJECTIVE： To analyze the clinical characteristics, neurophysiological grade and outcome in patients with CTS. DESIGN： Retrospective case-analysis. SETTING： Department of Neurology, First Affiliated Hospital, Medical College, Xi＇an Jiaotong University. PARTICIPANTS： Totally 161 patients with suspected CTS from National Neuroscience Institute of Singapore referred to the Neurodiagnostic Laboratory for the confirmatory testing between January and September 2002. The involved patients, 137 male and 24 female, were aged 21 - 85 years. METHODS： ①The condition of diabetes mellitus complicated by abnormal thyroid function was observed.② The effect on predominant hand, and paraesthesia were observed. ③Neuroelectrophysiological studies were performed and the results were graded into mild, moderate and severe CTS according to the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine （AAEM） criteria.④ Conservative management and surgical intervention were followed up 3 months later, and symptoms and physical sign basically disappeared, and function was basically recovered, which indicated that disease condition improved. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease; ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia; ③Electrophysiological grading; ④Prognosis. RESULTS： Totally 161 patients participated in the final analysis. ①Condition of CTS complicated by metabolic disease： Among 161 patients, 17.4% （28/161） were documented to have diabetes mellitus and 7（4.3%） had hypothyroidism. ②Effects on predominant hand and paraesthesia： Dominant hand involvement was present in 134 patients （83.2%） and more than 75% had onset of symptoms in the dominant hand. Sensory symptoms like numbness and paresthesias were the predominant symptoms, accounting for 89.1% （134/161）, this discomfort was felt in all 5 digits of the hand in 47.6%, and lateral three and half digits in 21.4%. The noctural symptoms were present in 30.4% （49/161） patients. ③Electrophysiological typing： The most frequent abnormality was that of the prolonged mid-palm median and ulnar latency difference in 146（54.7%） hands; 103（38.6%） hands had prolonged median motor distal latency. Absent response from thenar muscle was present in 35 （13.1%） hands. Nerve conduction study showed bilateral CTS in 105 （65.2%） patients and unilateral CTS in 56 （34.8%） patients. Sixteen patients with bilateral CTS had symptoms in one hand only. Overall, 36.8% had mild, 49.2 % had moderate and 13.9 % had severe CTS, with median duration of symptoms of 6, 9 and 14 months, respectively. ④Delay in diagnosis： 37（22.9%） patients delayed in diagnosis from 1-4 months, 16（43.2%） were misdiagnosed as cervical spondylosis; 6（16.2%） were ignored due to their condition by busy work; 15（40.5%） were unware of their symptoms. ⑤Prognosis： Follow up data was available for only 72.7% （117/161） patients. Conservative management was conducted in 73.5% （86/117）. Clinical symptoms were resolved or improved in 65.1% （56/86） patients with 17 mild CTS, 29 moderate CTS, and 10 severe CTS. 26.5% （31/117） patients underwent surgery for CTS release, and clinical symptoms were improved in 12（38.7%） with moderate CTS and 2 （6.5%） with severe CTS at 3 months of follow up. CONCLUSION： ①Sensory symptoms in CTS are more in severe and common in dominant hand. ②Conservative management showed resolution or improvement for mild and moderate CTS. Surgical intervention shows either resolution or improvement in clinical symptoms in moderate CTS. ③The common reasons for delay in diagnosis were due to misdiagnosis as cervical spondylosis and lack of awareness of the condition.④Assessment on severity of CTS by electrophysiological grade is of important significance for determining therapeutic mean.

Hand Function among Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the compression of the median nerve in carpal tunnel of wrist which leads to the typical symptoms of numbness, paresthesia and sometimes pain in the patient’s hand. The symptoms are usually sensed in the first three radial fingers and the lateral side of the ring finger because these areas are innervated by the median nerve. Objective: To assess hand function among patient with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Methods: This was a descriptive study in which 41 subjects (27 females and 14 males) were included from Ghurki trust teaching hospital, Lahore and Shalamar hospital, Lahore (from August 2018 to October 2018) according to inclusion criteria. Samples were collected according to WHO (World Health Organization) calculator. Hand function was measured with Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). Results: Majority of the patients with CTS fell into mild functional severity and mild symptom severity. The mean score for functional severity was 2.34 and for symptom severity it was 2.97. Conclusion: Activities of daily living such as grasping, writing, gripping and carrying objects were affected by the symptoms of pain, numbness, tingling and weakness in the patients suffering from CTS.

Carpal tunnel syndrome diagnosis: validation of a clinic-based nerve conduction measurement device

Background: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is the commonest upper limb nerve entrapment syndrome seen in practice. In many centres, nerve conduction studies (NCS) have been adopted as a routine part of the diagnostic process. In the United Kingdom, the time taken to access diagnostic tests has been likened to a “hidden waiting list”, lengthening the time taken for a patient to access treatment. In the current healthcare climate with a centrally driven aim to reduce patient waiting time to a maximum of eighteen weeks, including tests, such waiting is even more unacceptable. Aim. This study was performed in order to evaluate a simple handheld device for quantifying median nerve lesions in CTS. Design of study: A prospective blinded cohort study. Setting: Leicester General Hospital, Carpal Tunnel Service Method: Participants were recruited from the nor-mal referral stream. If the clinical findings were consistent with a diagnosis of CTS, they were for-mally consented to the study in which results from the new handheld device were compared with traditional NCS. Final test group consisted of 63 participants. Results: For the new device the correct positive detection rate for abnormal nerve conduction was 91% (74/81 hands). Of the seven abnormal results not picked up by the new device, four were in asymptomatic hands (positive per cent agree-ment in symptomatic hands 95%). There were no false positives with the new system. (Negative per cent agreement 100%) Conclusion: We conclude that this new device demonstrates a high degree of concordance with currently available traditional NCS. The study suggested ways in which the accuracy could be further improved.

The Effect of Longitudinal Stretching of Muscles and Nerve versus Deep Transverse Friction Massage in the Management of Patients with Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Background and Purpose: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common source of hand numbness and pain. The goal of this study was to compare longitudinal stretching of muscles and nerve to deep transverse friction massage for decreasing pain and improving hand function in patients with chronic CTS. Subjects and Methods: Thirty patients, 25 to 40 years old, were included in this study and randomized into two groups: the first group (36.8 ± 0.262) followed a physical therapy program group receiving stretching of wrist and hand flexors in combination with ultrasound, strengthening exercises of wrist and hand flexors, and wrist splint, three sessions per week for 12 weeks;and the second group (35.9 ± 0.225) followed the physical therapy program of deep transverse friction massage on the carpal tunnel site at the wrist joint, with using ultrasonic therapy, strengthening exercises of wrist and hand flexors and wrist splint, three sessions per week for 12 weeks. Outcome measures were range of motion (ROM), pain using visual analog scale (VAS), and hand grip strength measured with a sphygmomanometer. Results: There was a significant difference in both groups in all outcome measures compared to baseline. Over stretching group showed significant difference at the end of study in terms of range of motion of wrist flexion, extension and strength of handgrip when compared to deep friction massage group P < 0.05. However, there is no significant difference between groups in pain. Discussion and Conclusion: This study showed that the effect of stretching exercises is more beneficial than deep transverse friction massage in the treatment of patients with CTS in decreasing the compression of the median nerve in the tunnel.

Exploring the Potential of a Questionnaire in Predicting Results of Nerve Conduction Studies in Patients with Suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Exploring a Clinician and Patient Complete Version

This evaluation of the Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (CTQ) was designed to establish the validity and flexibility of its potential use both within a primary and secondary care setting. The questionnaire was originally designed to predict the positive and negative outcome of Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) in those patients with suspected Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS). Prior to being seen by the hand specialist patients who had been referred with suspected CTS where asked to complete the CTQ. These questionnaires were coded and filed by the clinic nurse. The hand specialist then completed the questionnaire with the patient preceding NCS. Questionnaires were scored subsequent to the appointment. Results for the hand specialist completed questionnaire showed an 80% specificity and 92% sensitivity regarding the ability of the CTQ to predict a positive NCS using a pre-determine cut-off score. The patient completed questionnaire showed a 70.67% specificity and 72% sensitivity. Using receiver operating characteristics a threshold score could be determined to achieve 100% sensitivity/specificity for both questionnaires. This questionnaire provides a useful addition in the assessment of patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome and could be used in a range of clinical settings although the scoring cut-off may need to be adapted depending on whether the questionnaire was completed by the clinician or patient. Using the questionnaire in a clinical setting would reduce the requirement for NCS by 60%, this would offer significant time and cost savings.

改良小切口手术治疗中重度迟发性正中神经麻痹CTS的临床疗效观察

目的探讨分析改良小切口手术松解与传统腕掌部开放手术在治疗中、重度迟发性正中神经麻痹腕管综合征(CTS)的临床疗效观察。方法通过回顾性分析的研究方法,选取2020年1月至2021年2月收治的17例迟发性正中神经麻痹CTS患者作为对照组(传统腕掌部开放手术),选取2021年3月至2022年8月收治的23例迟发性正中神经麻痹CTS患者作为观察组(改良小切口手术松解)进行回顾性临床研究分析。结果两组在一般资料比较上差异无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。观察组在术后6个月后两点辨别觉距离、疼痛评分、Levine评分、DASH量表评分均优于对照组(P<0.05)。两组术后6个月时肌电图指标CMAP、SNAP、SCV结果较术前均明显升高(P<0.05),且观察组升高幅度优于对照组(P<0.05),两组术后的有效率上,观察组比对照组更具优效性(P<0.05),且观察组的手术时间与对照组相比明显缩短;两组术后腕部柱状痛发生率比较分析,观察组更具优效性(P<0.05),有效率高于对照组。结论与传统腕掌部开放手术治疗中重度迟发性正中神经麻痹CTS比较,改良小切口松解术不仅可以提高临床疗效降低术后并发症,提高临床有效率,还具有优化手术指标、改善正中神经电生理功能、减小腕关节功能损伤等优势。

APPLICATION OF ELECTRICAL IMPEDANCE MYOGRAPHY IN CHARACTERIZING CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Background:Electrical impedance myography(EIM)is a non-invasive,painless,and easy-to-perform technique for assessing neuromuscular disorders.We evaluated the potential of EIM for quantitatively characterizing carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS).Methods:Healthy subjects and patients with differing severity of CTS underwent EIM measurement of their small hand muscles.A bioelectrical impedance vector analysis(BIVA)method was first applied to display 50-kHz EIM data in a single plot.Results:Patients with more severe CTS had smaller EIM values in the affected muscle.The reactance and phase parameters differed significantly between any two groups(P<0.05).Their accuracy for differentiating between any two adjacent groups was approximately 80%and for other groups was approximately 90%.There was a strong association between EIM and electrophysiology results.Conclusion:BIVA is convenient and helpful for indicating the differences between healthy subjects and CTS patients.These results demonstrate EIM’s potential for quantitatively characterizing patients with CTS.

A handy review of carpal tunnel syndrome:From anatomy to diagnosis and treatment

Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is the most commonly diagnosed disabling condition of the upper extremities. It is the most commonly known and prevalent type of peripheral entrapment neuropathy that accounts for about 90% of all entrapment neuropathies. This review aims to provide an outline of CTS by considering anat-omy, pathophysiology, clinical manifestation, diagnostic modalities and management of this common condition, with an emphasis on the diagnostic imaging evaluation.

Grey-scale sonography and sonoelastography for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome

Carpal tunnel syndrome(CTS) is a common peripheral entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve at wrist level, and is thought to be caused by compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. There is no standard quantitative reference for the diagnosis of CTS. Greyscale sonography and sonoelastography(SEL) have been used as diagnostic tools. The most commonly agreed findings in grey-scale sonography for the diagnosis of CTS is enlargement of the median nerve cross-sectional area(CSA). Several authors have assessed additional parameters. "Delta CSA" is the difference between the proximal median nerve CSA at the pronator quadratus and the maximal CSA within the carpal tunnel. The "CSA ratio" is the ratio of CSA in the carpal tunnel to the CSA at the mid forearm. These additional parameters showed better diagnostic accuracy than CSA measurement alone. Recently, a number of studies have investigated the elasticity of the median nerve using SEL, and have shown that this also has diagnostic value, as it was significantly stiffer in CTS patients compared to healthy volunteers. In this review, we summarize the usefulness of grey-scale sonography and SEL in diagnosing CTS.