Correlation Between Subclinical Median Neuropathy and the Cross-Sectional Area of the Median Nerve at the Wrist
Journal
Ultrasound in Medicine and Biology
Journal Volume
39
Journal Issue
6
Pages
975-980
Date Issued
2013
Author(s)
Abstract
Although subclinical median neuropathy is not uncommon, its correlation with sonographic changes to the median nerve at the wrist has not been studied. We included 62 subjects (with 107 wrists) who reported experiencing no hand numbness. All subjects underwent nerve conduction studies (NCS) and sonography for median nerve at the pisiform level. The cross-sectional area (CSA), perimeter, long axis and short axis of median nerve were obtained off-line by manual tracing with a mouse and computed by one algorithm written in MatLab. Eighteen wrists met the inclusion criteria of subclinical median neuropathy. The CSA, perimeter and long axis of the median nerve were significantly different between normal and abnormal NCS wrists. Mixed model analysis showed that subclinical neuropathy was associated with enlarged CSA, but the other demographic variables (gender, age and body mass index and occupational categories) were not. Our findings support the use of both patient symptoms and NCS to define normal subjects during further studies. In addition, enlarged CSA within asymptomatic individuals should raise concern for subclinical median neuropathy. ? 2013 World Federation for Ultrasound in Medicine & Biology.
Other Subjects
Radiology; Ultrasonics; Cross sectional area; Cross-sectional areas; Demographic variables; Median nerves; Mixed-model analysis; Nerve conduction study; Occupational categories; Subclinical median neuropathy; Ultrasonography; adult; article; asymptomatic disease; carpal tunnel syndrome; female; human; latent period; long axis of median nerve; major clinical study; male; median nerve; median nerve cross sectional area; median nerve perimeter; nerve conduction; nervous system parameters; neurological diagnostic device; pisiform bone; priority journal; real time echography; short axis of median nerve; subclinical median neuropathy; ultrasound scanner
Publisher
Elsevier USA
Type
journal article