The value of sonographic quantitative parameters in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome in the Vietnamese population

OBJECTIVE: To examine the value of ultrasound (US) in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in the Vietnamese population. METHODS: This prospective cross-sectional study involved 42 wrists of 25 patients with idiopathic CTS evaluated by US. In addition, 38 wrists of 22 healthy volunteers were included as the control group. RESULTS: Significant differences in the median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at different levels were found between patients with CTS and controls. Using a cut-off value of 9.5 mm(2) for the median nerve CSA at the pisiform (p-CSA), US had a sensitivity and specificity of 95.2% and 97.4%, respectively, for the diagnosis of CTS. Area under the curve analysis revealed a sensitivity and specificity of 100% and 95.4%, respectively, for the prediction of severe CTS using a p-CSA of >15.5 mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: The median nerve CSA is a highly accurate parameter in the diagnosis of CTS. We recommend using a p-CSA of >9.5 mm(2) as a diagnostic criterion for CTS and a p-CSA of >15.5 mm(2) as a marker for severe CTS in the Vietnamese population. Research Registry number: 7261