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Updated: May 9, 2026
Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Dynamic sonographic measurements at the carpal tunnel inlet: reliability and reference values in healthy wrists
Anika Filius1, Jan-Wiebe H Korstanje, Ruud W Selles
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
Introduction:
Reliability and reference values are not well-established for most dynamic sonographic measurements of the median nerve (MN) and flexor tendons that may be used for diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).
Methods:
Wrists of 20 healthy participants were imaged using ultrasound. Cines of the carpal tunnel inlet were acquired during hand motion. Based on shape and displacement measurements, intra- and interrater reliability and reference values were calculated.
Results:
Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for measurements of the MN and most flexor tendons were ≥0.51 for shape parameters and ≥0.71 for displacement parameters. During motion, the MN flattened with ulnar movement, tendons became more circular, and flexor tendons of corresponding fingers moved toward each other.
Conclusion:
Shape and displacement measurements of the MN and most flexor tendons had reliability results ranging from moderate to excellent. The reference values may be useful for the diagnosis of CTS.
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