Review of Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and a Proposed Scanning Protocol

J Ultrasound Med. 2016 Nov;35(11):2311-2324. doi: 10.7863/ultra.15.12014. Epub 2016 Sep 14.

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome is the most common peripheral compressive neuropathy. Ultrasonography (US) is an emerging technology that can be used in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Although the cross-sectional area is the most studied and validated measurement for carpal tunnel syndrome, there is no standardized neuromuscular US scanning protocol. We review the most studied neuromuscular US characteristics and protocols in the evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome and propose a standardized protocol for evaluating carpal tunnel syndrome with neuromuscular US based on current literature.

Keywords: carpal tunnel syndrome; diagnosis; evaluation; neurosonology; review; ultrasonography.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Humans
  • Median Nerve / diagnostic imaging
  • Practice Guidelines as Topic*
  • Ultrasonography / methods*