March 2025, Volume 3, Issue 3

Author

Rajiv Sathianarayanan Menon, Seetharaman Cannane, Jeevithan Shanmugam, Harish Kumar S and Senthil Kumar E

Abstract

Introduction: Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) is a prevalent peripheral entrapment neuropathy caused by the compression of the median nerve at the wrist, leading to symptoms such as intermittent paraesthesia, pain, and muscle weakness. The condition is more common in women and individuals aged 45-60 years. Diagnosis typically involves clinical signs, electrodiagnostic studies, and imaging. Recent studies suggest shear wave elastography as a potential tool for assessing tissue stiffness and grading CTS severity. This study aims to investigate the clinico-radiological correlation in CTS patients using shear wave elastography and nerve conduction studies. Materials and Methods: This prospective analytical cross-sectional study enrolled 40 adult participants diagnosed with CTS at a tertiary care center in Coimbatore over a two-year period. Ethical clearance was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. High-frequency ultrasonography and shear wave elastography were used to evaluate the median nerve's cross-sectional area, stiffness, and shear wave velocity. Data from ultrasonography and elastography were recorded alongside clinical and demographic details. Statistical analysis was conducted using SPSS version 27.0, with significance set at p ? 0.05. Results: The study included 40 participants (23 females and 17 males). The mean cross-sectional area of the median nerve was 0.12 sq.mm, with stiffness values of 120.62 kPa (axial plane) and 217.99 kPa (sagittal plane). A significant association was found between the cross-sectional area and nerve conduction study outcomes, with larger median nerve CSAs correlating with more severe impairment. But there was no significant association between nerve conduction and nerve stiffness. Conclusion: The study highlights the intricate relationship between demographic and clinical characteristics in determining nerve conduction study outcomes. Integration of nerve conduction studies with imaging techniques like ultrasound and elastography will provide a more comprehensive understanding about the nerve function, which improves the diagnosis and management of CTS.