Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 24, 2025

Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
Published on: January 11, 2019
Cross-sectional area in median and ulnar nerve ultrasound correlates with hand volume
Melis Tahmaz1, Min-Suk Yoon2, Peter D Schellinger1
1Department of Neurology and Neurogeriatrics, Ruhr-University Bochum, Johannes-Wesling-Klinikum Minden, UK RUB, Minden, Germany.
Background:
The influence of demographic and anthropometric factors on nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values in high-resolution ultrasound was evaluated in a prospective observational study.
Methods:
We measured CSA of median, ulnar, radial, and sural nerves in 80 healthy adults from 18 to 98 years of age. Pearson's correlation and multiple linear regression with age, gender, body mass index, and hand volume were calculated.
Results:
Ulnar and median nerve CSA showed a significant positive correlation with ipsilateral hand volume. Median nerve CSA in the left forearm (mean, 6.2 mm2 ; SD, 1.2) increased by 0.006 mm2 (SE = 0.002; P < .001) per cm3 of hand volume, resulting in a difference of 1.9 mm2 predictable by hand volume (mean, 326 cm3 ; SD, 81; range, 180-500).
Conclusions:
The observed correlation of CSA and hand volume may influence the interpretation of CSA values in patients with very large or small hands.
Related Concept Videos
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
Bones of the Upper Limb: Ulna
Bones of the Upper Limb: Radius
The radius has a nail-shaped head, and a...
Arteries of the Upper Limbs

