Sonographic study on thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in carpal tunnel syndrome patients and healthy volunteers / 中国矫形外科杂志

ABSTRACT

[Objective]To evaluate the application of sonographic measurements of the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in CTS(carpal tunnel syndrome) patients.[Methods]Fifty-two wrists from 40 patients with CTS confirmed by surgery and 32 wrists from 20 healthy individuals(control group) underwent sonographic examination of the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments at the level of pisiform bone and the hook of the hamate bone in transverse plane by the same operator.[Results]The thickness of transverse carpal ligaments in CTS patients was(0.41?0.10) cm at hamate hook level and(0.35?0.11) cm at pisiform level versus(0.28?0.11) cm and(0.20?0.08) cm in the control group.There was significant difference in the mean value of thickness of transverse carpal ligaments hetween the two groups at the two levels.[Conclusion]Ultrasonography examination of the thickness of transverse carpal ligaments is a new and valuable technique in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome and is much helpful to choose operation methods.