J Korean Neurosurg Soc.  2009 Sep;46(3):199-204. 10.3340/jkns.2009.46.3.199.

Pressure Measurement in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome : Correlation with Electrodiagnostic and Ultrasonographic Findings

• Ahn SY
• Hong YH
• Koh YH
• Chung YS
• Lee SH
• Yang HJ

• KMID: 2138406
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3340/jkns.2009.46.3.199

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
This study was done to evaluate the correlation between carpal tunnel pressure (CTP), electrodiagnostic and ultrasonographic findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). METHODS: CTP was measured during endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) for CTS using Spiegelberg ICP monitoring device with parenchymal type catheter. Neurophysiologic severity and nerve cross sectional area were evaluated using nerve conductive study and ultrasonography (USG) before ECTR in all patients. RESULTS: Tests were performed in a total of 48 wrists in 39 patients (9 cases bilateral). Maximum CTP was 56.7 +/- 19.3 mmHg (Mean +/- SD) and 7.4 +/- 3.3 mmHg before and after ECTR, respectively. No correlation was found between maximum CTP and either neurophysiologic severity or nerve cross sectional area, whereas we found a significant correlation between the latter two parameters. CONCLUSION: CTP was not correlated with neurophysiologic severity and nerve cross sectional area. Dynamic, rather than static, pressure in carpal tunnel might account for the basic pathophysiology of CTS better.

Keyword

Carpal tunnel syndrome; Pressure; Ultrasonography; Electrodiagnosis

MeSH Terms

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Catheters
Cytidine Triphosphate
Electrodiagnosis
Humans
Wrist
Cytidine Triphosphate