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Median nerve changes following steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome
Author(s) -
Cartwright Michael S.,
White David L.,
Demar Samantha,
Wiesler Ethan R.,
Sarlikiotis Thomas,
Chloros George D.,
Yoon Joon Shik,
Won Sun Jae,
Molnar Joseph A.,
Defranzo Anthony J.,
Walker Francis O.
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.22067
Subject(s) - carpal tunnel syndrome , medicine , median nerve , wrist , vascularity , ultrasound , nerve conduction study , carpal tunnel , nerve conduction , nerve conduction velocity , surgery , anesthesia , anatomy , radiology
Neuromuscular ultrasound is a painless, radiation‐free, high‐resolution imaging modality for assessment of the peripheral nervous system. The purpose of this study was to use neuromuscular ultrasound to assess the changes that occur in the median nerve after steroid injection for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: Ultrasound and nerve conduction studies were performed at baseline and 1 week, 1 month, and 6 months after steroid injection in 19 individuals (29 wrists) with CTS. Results: Significant changes were noted in median nerve cross‐sectional area ( P < 0.001), mobility ( P = 0.001), and vascularity ( P = 0.042) at the distal wrist crease after steroid injection, and the nerve cross‐sectional area correlated with symptom score and electrodiagnostic parameters. Changes in the ultrasonographic parameters were seen within 1 week of injection. Conclusions: These findings suggest neuromuscular ultrasound is potentially helpful for the assessment of individuals undergoing treatment for CTS, as typical changes can be expected after successful treatment injection. Muscle Nerve 44: 25–29, 2011