Early detection of median nerve syndrome at the carpal tunnel with high-resolution 18 MHz ultrasonography in systemic sclerosis patients

Objectives. To investigate carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) with ultrasound (US) in asymptomatic SSc patients and to seek out the relationship between CTS and SSc clinical variablesMethods. In 64 SSc patients (55 women and 9 men, mean age 57 14 years) and in 30 healthy controls, area (MNA), transverse (MNT) and anteroposterior (MNAP) diameters of MN at carpal tunnel were studied with US (My Lab 25 XVG US Esaote 18 MHz). MN flattening ratio (MNFR) was calculated. Duration of disease, subset (limited, diffuse), phase of skin involvement (oedematous, atrophic, fibrotic), modified Rodnan skin score (mRSS) and friction tendon rub were also recorded.Results. MNA (p