Investigation of Sectional Surface Area and Volume of Carpal Tunnel, Median Nerve and Structures Inside in Unilateral Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

Abstract

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is a common entrapment neuropathy of the median nerve (MN). The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the cross-sectional surface area of the canalis carpi (CC), median nerve (MN), and flexor FTs)tendonsi (patients diagnosed with unilateral carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with those of the unaffected side, utilizing magnetic resonance (MRI).imaging Additionally, the study aimed to assess and compare the volume of the CC and MN between the affected and unaffected sides. 18 unilateralfemaleCTS patients were included in this study. Magnetic resonance images were obtained using a 1.5-T MRI scanner. The sectional surface areavolumeandof the CC, MN, and structures inside were measured using Analyze version 12.0 software. The sectional surface area and volumeCof andtheCMN were significantly larger on the CTS side than on the healthy side (p<0.05). The results showed that the cross-sectionaleareasurfacof CC gradually decreased towards the beginning and end of the CC, but the values were higher on the side with CTS than on y thesidhealth(p<0.05). The cross-sectional surface area of the CC, MN, and FTs was significantly larger on the CTS side compared to the healthyside.Furthrmore, the volumes of the CC and MN were notably elevated on the CTS side in comparison to the healthy side.Themeasurement of these parameters using MRI may be useful in the diagnosis and assessment of CTS.