Dynamic sonographic measurements at the carpal tunnel inlet: Reliability and reference values in healthy wrists
Corresponding Author
Anika Filius MD
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Correspondence to: A. Filius; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJan-Wiebe H. Korstanje PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorRuud W. Selles PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorSteven E.R. Hovius MD, PhD
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorHarm P. Slijper PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
Anika Filius MD
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Correspondence to: A. Filius; e-mail: [email protected]Search for more papers by this authorJan-Wiebe H. Korstanje PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorRuud W. Selles PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorSteven E.R. Hovius MD, PhD
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery and Hand Surgery, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, P.O. Box 2040, 3000CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorHarm P. Slijper PhD
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physical Therapy, Erasmus MC, University Medical Centre Rotterdam, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
Search for more papers by this authorABSTRACT
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. Muscle Nerve 48: 525–531, 2013
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