Augmented Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasonography for Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using an Optimised Wrist Circumference-Dependent Cross-Sectional Area Equation

Introduction: In diagnosing carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) there is no consensus about the upper limit of normal (ULN) of the cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve at the carpal tunnel inlet. A previous study showed wrist circumference is the most important independent predictor for the ULN. In this study we optimised a wrist circumference-dependent ULN equation for optimal diagnostic accuracy and compared it to the generally used fixed ULN of 11 mm(2). Methods: CSA and wrist circumference were measured in a prospective cohort of 253 patients (clinically defined CTS) and 96 healthy controls. An equation for the ULN for CSA was developed by means of univariable regression analysis. We calculated z-scores for all patients and healthy controls, and analysed these scores in a ROC curve and a decision plot. Sensitivity and specificity were determined and compared to fixed ULN values. Results: We found augmented diagnostic accuracy of our newly developed equation y = 0.88 (*) x −4.0, where y = the ULN of the CSA and x = wrist circumference. This equation has a corresponding sensitivity and specificity of 75% compared to a sensitivity of 70% while using a fixed cut-off value of 11 mm(2) (p = 0.015). Conclusion: Optimising the regression equation for wrist circumference-dependent ULN cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the wrist inlet might improve diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and seems to be more accurate than using fixed cut-off values.