Doppler sonography for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: A critical review

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 50; no. 2; pp. 159 - 163
• Main Authors: Vanderschueren, Geraldine A.K.B., Meys, Vera E.W.H., Beekman, Roy
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.08.2014; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Carpal tunnel syndrome; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - physiopathology; diagnosis; Doppler sonography; Humans; nerve conduction studies; Neural Conduction - physiology; peripheral nervous system; Studies; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonography, Doppler - methods; ultrasound; carpal tunnel syndrome; diagnosis; Doppler sonography; peripheral nervous system; ultrasound; nerve conduction studies
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.24241

ABSTRACT Introduction: Doppler sonography may detect increased intraneural blood flow of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). The purpose of this review is to critically evaluate the literature about the diagnostic value of increased intraneural flow detected by sonography in CTS Methods: Systematic review of studies published between 1985 and 2013. Results: The 7 studies we found had considerable differences in study design and had methodological shortcomings. Doppler sonography had a median sensitivity of 72% (range, 41–95%) and a median specificity of 88% (range, 71–100%). Most studies could not compare the diagnostic value of sonography to that of electrophysiological studies, because the latter were often used as a reference test. Conclusions: Increased intraneural flow detected by Doppler sonography may be a promising diagnostic test for CTS, but further studies are needed before it can be implemented in clinical practice. Muscle Nerve 50:159–163, 2014