scholarly journals Thermography in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome

Open Medicine ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 175-182
Author(s):  
Piotr Bargiel ◽  
Norbert Czapla ◽  
Piotr Prowans ◽  
Daniel Kotrych ◽  
Paweł Ziętek ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Clinical Image ◽  
Control Group ◽  
List Type ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Dynamic Thermography

Abstract Introduction Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a condition caused by chronic compression of the median nerve. The diagnosis is made mainly on the basis of clinical image and confirmed with electrodiagnostic testing (electromyography and nerve conduction study); however, these methods do not always aid in reaching the diagnosis of CTS. Moreover, they are invasive examinations, unpleasant for the patient and have to be performed by a qualified physician. Aim An evaluation of the usefulness of dynamic thermography in the diagnosis of CTS. Material and methods Forty patients were included in the study group. CTS was diagnosed based on clinical examination and electromyography. Forty healthy volunteers were included in the control group. Each of the participants was examined thrice with dynamic thermography. The patient’s hands were first cooled down and then a thermal camera measured their return to normal temperature. The measurement was repeated on the dorsal and volar aspects of each hand. Results The results obtained in the study show that a relief of symptoms after carpal tunnel release does not correlate with thermal image. Moreover, the return to normal hand temperature was faster in the control group. In patients with unilateral CTS, no difference was observed in thermographic images of the affected and healthy hands. Conclusions Dynamic thermography can be useful in confirming CTS diagnosis. Dynamic thermography does not allow for objective assessment of patient’s complaints in the postoperative period. This method has currently limited clinical application. Due to complexity, it presently serves mainly scientific purposes.

Use of Nerve Conduction Studies and the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device in the Diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2009 ◽  
Vol 34 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-65 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. J. SLUTSKY
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Diagnostic Yield ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Nerve Conduction Studies ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Asymptomatic Volunteers ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Sixty-nine patients with signs of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) underwent nerve conduction studies (NCS) and testing with the Pressure-Specified Sensory Device (PSSD). A total of 102 tests were performed (28 bilateral). Twenty patients underwent a carpal tunnel release and were retested after 4 to 6 months. The Symptom Severity Score (SSS) was calculated before and after surgery. A control group of 20 hands in 10 asymptomatic volunteers underwent identical testing. The NCS sensitivity was 87% with a specificity of 90% whereas the PSSD sensitivity was 81% with a specificity of 65%. The combined sensitivity of the two tests was 93%. In the operative group the SSS improved from a mean of 3.34 pre-operatively to 1.95 postoperatively. The NCS improved in 19/21 hands whereas the PSSD improved in 16/19 hands. The non-invasive SSS and PSSD can increase the diagnostic yield in CTS, especially when the NCS are normal.

scholarly journals Relationship between clinical outcomes and nerve conduction studies before and after surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Ise ◽  
Taichi Saito ◽  
Yoshimi Katayama ◽  
Ryuichi Nakahara ◽  
Yasunori Shimamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Background:Nerve conduction study (NCS) is the only useful test for objective assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, the relationship between pre- and postoperative NCS and clinical outcomes was unclear. This study aimed to determine whether pre- and postoperative (6 months) NCS could predict patient-oriented and motor outcomes (6 and 12 months postoperatively) in patients with CTS.Methods:Of the 85 patients with CTS, 107 hands were analyzed from March 2011 to March 2020. All patients underwent open carpal tunnel release and were examined using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and grip strength (GS) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months. Moreover, NCS was examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Distal motor latency (DML) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) were the parameters used for NCS. The correlation coefficient between NCS and DASH or GS was calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to determine the NCS threshold value to predict DASH and GS improvement.Results:The average scores of GS preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 21.3, 22.3, and 22.8, respectively. On the other hand, the average scores of DASH preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 28.8, 18.3, and 12.2, respectively. The average NCS scores (DML and SCV) preoperatively/6 months postoperatively were 7.3/5.4 and 27.8/36.7, respectively. Preoperative NCS did not correlate with DASH and GS. Postoperative SCV correlated with the change in grip strength (6–12 months, r = 0.67; 0–12 months, r = 0.60) and DASH (0–12 months, r = 0.77). Moreover, postoperative DML correlated with the change in DASH (6–12 months, r = -0.33; 0–12 months, r = -0.59). The prediction for the improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 50.0%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/100%, at an SCV cutoff score of 38.5/45.0 or above. The prediction for improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 83.3%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/66.7% at a DML cutoff score of 4.4/4.4 or below.Conclusions:NCS at 6 months postoperatively can be used to predict the improvement of clinical outcome after 6 months postoperatively in patients with CTS.

scholarly journals ‘INSIGHT-PRECISION’: a new, mini-invasive technique for the surgical treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome

2019 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 030006051987808
Author(s):  
José Dinis Carmo
Keyword(s):  
Surgical Treatment ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Surgical Technique ◽  
Minimally Invasive ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Invasive Technique ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
Surgical Tool ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Objective To describe a new mini-invasive surgical technique for carpal tunnel release and to present clinical findings associated with using this technique. Methods Patients with idiopathic carpal tunnel syndrome without prior surgical treatment, who underwent a new minimally-invasive surgical technique using a specific surgical tool-kit developed by the author, were included. Prospective data were collected, including preoperative electrodiagnostic testing. The subjective condition of all patients was evaluated pre- and postoperatively with a five-level Likert-type scale (LS) and muscular strength was tested using a JAMAR dynamometer and pinch gauge. Results A total of 116 patients (157 hands/cases) underwent surgery performed by the author, and were followed for a mean of 40 months (range, 6 months–7 years). Of these, preoperative electrodiagnostic testing was performed in 112 patients (96.6%). No significant complications were reported. By three months, patients reported that they were satisfied or very satisfied in 147/149 cases (98.7%; LS grade I and II). Strength recovery at three months, based on the average of four measures, was 99.17% (range, 97.43–100.97%). Conclusions The described technique is minimally invasive, safe and simple to perform, and provides good results.

Ultrasound of the Median Nerve in the Surgical Treatment of Severe Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Hand ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 155894472098807
Author(s):  
William Melton ◽  
Maximillian Soong ◽  
Gabrielle Paci ◽  
Brian Clair ◽  
Dayana Blanchet ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
High Resolution ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire

Background High-resolution ultrasound (HRU) has demonstrated utility in the diagnosis and treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) by measuring the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve. We investigated whether HRU could be helpful in evaluating outcomes of carpal tunnel release in patients with severe CTS. Methods Patients greater than 18 years of age with severe CTS on electrodiagnostic (EDX) studies and scheduled to have carpal tunnel release were enrolled. At baseline visit within 6 weeks preoperatively, HRU was used to measure median nerve CSA at the carpal tunnel inlet and forearm, and the wrist/forearm ratio (WFR) was calculated. Patients also completed the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire (BCTQ). Ultrasound and BCTQ were repeated at 6 weeks and 6 months postoperatively. Results Twelve patients completed the study (average age, 69 years; range, 52-80 years). The WFR improved significantly at 6 weeks and reached normal levels at 6 months. The CSA at the wrist also improved at 6 months, although this did not reach statistical significance ( P = .059). Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire symptoms and function scores improved significantly at 6 weeks and 6 months. Conclusions High-resolution ultrasound provides an objective assessment of surgical outcomes in cases of severe CTS, demonstrating normalization of WFR in our series of successful cases. Future study of poor outcomes may help determine whether improvement in WFR and CSA can provide reassurance and support for observation rather than reoperation. Ultrasound also provides anatomical evaluation and may be helpful in cases with medicolegal or psychosocial issues while potentially being less costly and better tolerated than EDX or magnetic resonance imaging.

Pre-operative electrodiagnostic testing predicts time to resolution of symptoms after carpal tunnel release

2015 ◽  
Vol 41 (2) ◽  
pp. 137-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Fowler ◽  
M. Munsch ◽  
Y. Huang ◽  
W. C. Hagberg ◽  
J. E. Imbriglia
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
No Value ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Nerve Conduction Studies ◽  
Level Of Evidence ◽  
Electrodiagnostic Testing ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Open Carpal Tunnel Release

The purpose of this study was to determine if nerve conduction studies predict time to resolution of symptoms after carpal tunnel release. A total of 56 patients undergoing open carpal tunnel release were prospectively enrolled. Pre-operative presence of nocturnal symptoms and daytime numbness/tingling were documented. Pre-operative nerve conduction studies were reviewed and classified as mild, moderate, or severe. After open carpal tunnel release, patients were contacted by phone within 48 hours, at 1 week, and then at 2-week intervals for up to 9 months or until both nocturnal and daytime symptoms had resolved. This study found that patients with mild or moderate carpal tunnel syndrome experience a faster time to resolution of daytime numbness and tingling when compared with patients with severe carpal tunnel syndrome. Nocturnal symptoms resolved quickly in both groups. The results of this study are in contrast to previous studies that found little to no value of nerve conduction studies in predicting post-operative functional and subjective outcomes. Level of Evidence: IV

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A New Objective Evaluation Technique

1998 ◽  
Vol 6 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-103 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric Bigelow ◽  
Michael Bell
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Objective Evaluation ◽  
Motor Deficit ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Evaluation Technique ◽  
Abductor Pollicis Brevis ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Abduction Strength

E Bigelow, M Bell. Carpal tunnel syndrome: A new objective evaluation technique. Can J Plast Surg 1998;6(2):99-103. Thumb abduction strength is impaired progressively in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). In advanced cases abductor pollicis brevis (APB) weakness and wasting are evident. The APB muscle recovers power significantly after carpal tunnel release. A technique that objectively measures this function is described. The results of a study comparing 175 patients suffering from CTS with 132 controls are presented. No previous study has looked exclusively at the APB motor deficit preoperatively and at the postoperative recovery in CTS patients. Preoperatively, bilateral thumb abduction power was measured in patients with CTS by using a micrometer spring scale. The results were compared with those from a control group. A significant APB strength deficit was present in all CTS patients (P=0.001). A standard carpal tunnel release was performed by the same surgeon in all cases. The transverse carpal ligament was incised under direct vision with the use of an open technique. Thumb abduction strength was measured again four weeks postoperatively; significant recovery was observed in strength compared with the preoperative value (P=0.001). Thumb abduction power was, however, still lower than that of the control group (P=0.001). This test is a simple, inexpensive and reproducible way to evaluate the severity of CTS and to help diagnose patients with CTS objectively. It is a useful adjunct to monitor and follow CTS patients postoperatively.

scholarly journals Relationship between clinical outcomes and nerve conduction studies before and after surgery in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome

2021 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Masato Ise ◽  
Taichi Saito ◽  
Yoshimi Katayama ◽  
Ryuichi Nakahara ◽  
Yasunori Shimamura ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Grip Strength ◽  
Clinical Outcomes ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Nerve Conduction ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Characteristic Curve ◽  
Objective Assessment ◽  
Cutoff Score ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Background Nerve conduction study (NCS) is the only useful test for objective assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, the relationship between pre- and postoperative NCS and clinical outcomes was unclear. This study aimed to determine whether pre- and postoperative (6 months) NCS could predict patient-oriented and motor outcomes (6 and 12 months postoperatively) in patients with CTS. Method Of the 85 patients with CTS, 107 hands were analyzed from March 2011 to March 2020. All patients underwent open carpal tunnel release and were examined using the disabilities of the arm, shoulder and hand (DASH) questionnaire and grip strength (GS) preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively. Moreover, NCS was examined preoperatively and 6 months postoperatively. Distal motor latency (DML) and sensory conduction velocity (SCV) were the parameters used for NCS. The correlation coefficient between NCS and DASH or GS was calculated. A receiver operating characteristic curve was utilized to determine the NCS threshold value to predict DASH and GS improvement. Results The average scores of GS preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 21.3, 22.3, and 22.8, respectively. On the other hand, the average scores of DASH preoperatively and 6 and 12 months postoperatively were 28.8, 18.3, and 12.2, respectively. The average NCS scores (DML and SCV) preoperatively/6 months postoperatively were 7.3/5.4 and 27.8/36.7, respectively. Preoperative NCS did not correlate with DASH and GS. Postoperative SCV correlated with the change in grip strength (6–12 months, r = 0.67; 0–12 months, r = 0.60) and DASH (0–12 months, r = 0.77). Moreover, postoperative DML correlated with the change in DASH (6–12 months, r = − 0.33; 0–12 months, r = − 0.59). The prediction for the improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 50.0%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/100%, at an SCV cutoff score of 38.5/45.0 or above. The prediction for improvement of GS/DASH achieved a sensitivity of 83.3%/66.7% and a specificity of 100%/66.7% at a DML cutoff score of 4.4/4.4 or below. Conclusion NCS at 6 months postoperatively can be used to predict the improvement of clinical outcome after 6 months postoperatively in patients with CTS.

Clinical Update: Assessing Maximum Medical Improvement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

2003 ◽  
Vol 8 (4) ◽  
pp. 4-5
Author(s):  
Christopher R. Brigham ◽  
James B. Talmage
Keyword(s):  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Proper Time ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Hand Function ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Early Results ◽  
Medical Evaluation ◽  
Nerve Recovery ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract Permanent impairment cannot be assessed until the patient is at maximum medical improvement (MMI), but the proper time to test following carpal tunnel release often is not clear. The AMA Guides to the Evaluation of Permanent Impairment (AMA Guides) states: “Factors affecting nerve recovery in compression lesions include nerve fiber pathology, level of injury, duration of injury, and status of end organs,” but age is not prognostic. The AMA Guides clarifies: “High axonotmesis lesions may take 1 to 2 years for maximum recovery, whereas even lesions at the wrist may take 6 to 9 months for maximal recovery of nerve function.” The authors review 3 studies that followed patients’ long-term recovery of hand function after open carpal tunnel release surgery and found that estimates of MMI ranged from 25 weeks to 24 months (for “significant improvement”) to 18 to 24 months. The authors suggest that if the early results of surgery suggest a patient's improvement in the activities of daily living (ADL) and an examination shows few or no symptoms, the result can be assessed early. If major symptoms and ADL problems persist, the examiner should wait at least 6 to 12 months, until symptoms appear to stop improving. A patient with carpal tunnel syndrome who declines a release can be rated for impairment, and, as appropriate, the physician may wish to make a written note of this in the medical evaluation report.

Systematic review and meta-analysis of surgical options for recurrent or persistent carpal tunnel syndrome: simple decompression versus coverage of the median nerve

2021 ◽  
pp. 175319342110017
Author(s):  
Saskia F. de Roo ◽  
Philippe N. Sprangers ◽  
Erik T. Walbeehm ◽  
Brigitte van der Heijden
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ◽  
Median Nerve ◽  
Carpal Tunnel ◽  
Carpal Tunnel Release ◽  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Surgical Techniques ◽  
Open Release ◽  
Flap Coverage ◽  
Tunnel Syndrome

We performed a systematic review on the success of different surgical techniques for the management of recurrent and persistent carpal tunnel syndrome. Twenty studies met the inclusion criteria and were grouped by the type of revision carpal tunnel release, which were simple open release, open release with flap coverage or open release with implant coverage. Meta-analysis showed no difference, and pooled success proportions were 0.89, 0.89 and 0.85 for simple open carpal tunnel release, additional flap coverage and implant groups, respectively. No added value for coverage of the nerve was seen. Our review indicates that simple carpal tunnel release without additional coverage of the median nerve seems preferable as it is less invasive and without additional donor site morbidity. We found that the included studies were of low quality with moderate risk of bias and did not differentiate between persistent and recurrent carpal tunnel syndrome.

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