Evaluation and Comparison of Changes in Ultrasonography before and after Carpal Tunnel release

Background: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between changes observed in an ultrasonography before and after the surgical release of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods: This prospective study was performed on 15 candidates of CTS surgery during 2017-2018 who underwent an ultrasonography before and three months after the surgery. The structural changes in the median nerve and their correlation with the carpal tunnel were analized. Results: According to ultrasonography results, the findings related to height, diameter and cross-sectional area  of the median nerve decreased in the pisiform region of carpal tunnel while they increased in the area of hamate hook (P=0.002 in pisiform and P=0.001 in hamate hook), which might be due to the elimination of nerve dysfunction in the pisiform and effective decrease of pressure on nerve in hamate hook. Conclusion: In terms of evaluation of changes in the area of the median nerve, ultrasonography of the median nerve could be an effective and accurate technique to recognize the compression and follow up the nerve status in patients with CTS after surgery.