Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in diagnosis of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome.

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to assess the diagnostic accuracy of Ultrasonography, considering nerve conduction study (NCS) as the gold standard diagnostic modality for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted at the Neurology Department of Allied Hospital, Faisalabad from August, 2020 to January, 2021. NCS and Ultrasonography of wrist were performed for diagnosis of CTS. The sensitivity, specificity, predictive value (NPV), positive predictive value (PPV), and diagnostic accuracy (DA) were calculated for the screening test (Ultrasonography of the wrist), taking NCS as the gold standard.

RESULTS

The mean age of the study population was 41.53 ± 8.80 years, with female pre-dominance (71.66%). The right hand was involved in 24(40%) patients, left hand was involved in 4(6.66%) patients, and both hands were involved in 32(53.33%) patients. Among 60 patients, ultrasonography diagnosed 56 (TP+FN) as having CTS, confirmed via nerve conduction study. Sensitivity, specificity, NPV, PPV, and DA of Ultrasonography of the wrist for CTS were 92.8%, 75%, 42.8%, 98.1%, and 91.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Based on the sensitivity and specificity, Ultrasonography may assist in diagnosing CTS.