gms | German Medical Science

Objectives/Interrogation: Sonoelastrogram(SEL) has been widely used in many aspects, including musculoskeletal and vascular application. Its biomechanical properties could somehow reflect the degree the pathophysiology of the breast, liver and musculoskeletal disorder. Sonoelastrogram has been used to diagnose the carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). However, the current criteria for CTS diagnosis was diverse. The authors reviewed the literature and provide extratable of the specific value on diagnosis by using sonoelastrogram in CTS patients.

Methods: A literature review was performed using MEDLINE (PubMed), EMBASE, and the Cochrane Collaboration Library for primary research articles on sonoelastrogram and carpal tunnel syndrome as the key word. The inclusion criteria were primary journal articles examining CTS by using sonoelastogram based on any modality. Data related to diagnostic value, cross section area and cutoff value were extracted. Bias assessment was performed.

Results and Conclusions: A total of 59 publications were reviewed. Fourteen primary case series were selected for full analysis with 2 diagnose with acoustic radiation force impulse (ARFI) with the cutoff value of 3.25 and 3.0 m/s for diagnosing the CTS. Three diagnose with mean shear modulus (kPa), ranged from 38.25 to 70 kPa. Eight articles with strain ratio (SR) between the median nerve and nearby tissue for CTS diagnosis were reviewed revealed diverse results due to different reference points. The other one diagnostic tool was discussed with pixel value on SEL. Sonoelastogram was a useful tool to diagnose carpal tunnel syndrome. It can itself reflect not only the condition of soft tissue scarring, but also specific diagnostic value for CTS in reflection of median nerve stiffness. From our review, SEL provides a non-invasive and reliable modality for CTS evaluation.