Diagnostic utility of ultrasound and color Doppler in comparison with nerve conduction study of median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome

Abstract Background: There are few studies that evaluate the role of ultrasound with color Doppler in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and are compared with the nerve conduction study (NCS). Ultrasound with color Doppler is used now to detect the abnormality of the peripheral nerves. However, its comparison with the NCS is not explored in detail. Objective: The objective of this study was to study the diagnostic utility of ultrasound and color Doppler in comparison with the NCS of the median nerve in CTS. Materials and Methods: This was single-center, hospital-based diagnostic-evaluation study among 50 patients with CTS. NCS and high-resolution ultrasonography were carried out by same radiologist for all 50 cases and compared for diagnostic utility. The NCS was taken as the gold standard. Results: Most of the patients (70%) with CTS were above 40 years of age. Females were most affected compared to males in the ratio of 4.5:1. Sensitivity of ultrasound with Doppler was highest in nerve swelling (92%), followed by nerve vascularity (82.5%). Specificity of ultrasound with Doppler was 90% in nerve edema, nerve flattening, and palmar bowing of the flexor retinaculum, each, and it was 80% for nerve vascularity. Conclusion: The present study highlights the diagnostic utility of ultrasound in CTS, demonstrating significant associations between ultrasonographic markers and NCS findings.