Comparative Analysis of Median Nerve Parameters for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Diagnosis: Ultrasound Versus Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)

April 11, 2025 updated by: Syed Tameem Ul Hassan, Combined Military Hospital Kohat Pakistan

Comparative Analysis of Median Nerve Parameters for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome (CTS) Diagnosis: Ultrasound vs. Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) This clinical study aims to determine whether ultrasound can be as practical as NCS in diagnosing CTS. It will also evaluate the accuracy of different median nerve measurements in both tests.

The main questions it aims to answer are:

Can ultrasound accurately detect CTS compared to NCS? Which median nerve measurements (such as size, speed, or function) are most useful for diagnosis? Researchers will compare ultrasound and NCS results in patients with CTS symptoms to determine which test is more reliable and patient-friendly.

Participants will:

  1. Undergo both an ultrasound and a NCS for comparison.
  2. Visit the clinic for testing and evaluation as part of the study.
  3. Provide information about their symptoms and medical history related to CTS. This study aims to improve diagnosis accuracy and explore whether ultrasound could be a more comfortable and quicker alternative to NCS for detecting CTS.

Study Overview

Status

Not yet recruiting

Detailed Description

This study aims to compare ultrasound and NCS for diagnosing CTS by analyzing key median nerve parameters in both tests. CTS is a common condition caused by compression of the median nerve at the wrist, leading to symptoms such as numbness, tingling, and weakness in the hand. Accurate diagnosis is essential to ensure appropriate treatment.

Currently, NCS is considered the standard test for CTS diagnosis, measuring nerve function by assessing conduction velocity and latency. However, ultrasound has emerged as a potential alternative by providing structural imaging of the median nerve, including parameters like cross-sectional area (CSA), echogenicity, and flattening ratio.

The primary objective of this study is to determine whether ultrasound can be a reliable, non-invasive, and patient-friendly alternative to NCS for CTS diagnosis. By comparing nerve measurements obtained from both methods, researchers aim to evaluate their diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity.

Participants with suspected CTS will undergo both ultrasound and NCS for comparison. Data will be analyzed to determine which test provides the most precise and clinically useful information. The findings of this study may help refine diagnostic protocols, potentially reducing the need for NCS in certain cases and offering a faster, more comfortable option for patients.

Study Type

Interventional

Enrollment (Estimated)

50

Phase

  • Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Contact

  • Name: Syed Tameem Ul Hassan, MBBS, FCPS
  • Phone Number: 00923368885877
  • Email: drtameem2@gmail.com

Study Locations

    • KPK
      • Kohat, KPK, Pakistan, 26000
        • Combined Military Hospital
        • Contact:

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

  • Adult
  • Older Adult

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

  1. Adults aged 18 years or older.
  2. Patients with clinical symptoms of CTS, including numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in the hand.
  3. Positive findings on clinical examination, such as Tinel's sign, Phalen's test, or Durkan's test.
  4. Willingness to undergo both ultrasound and NCS for diagnostic evaluation.

Exclusion Criteria:

  1. Previous surgery for CTS in the affected hand.
  2. History of peripheral neuropathy such as diabetic neuropathy
  3. Other neuromuscular disorders affecting the upper limb such as cervical radiculopathy.
  4. Pregnant women.
  5. Severe comorbid conditions that may interfere with study participation.
  6. Inability to provide informed consent.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Primary Purpose: Diagnostic
  • Allocation: Randomized
  • Interventional Model: Parallel Assignment
  • Masking: None (Open Label)

Arms and Interventions

Participant Group / Arm
Intervention / Treatment
Other: Ultrasound Diagnostic Arm
Participants in this arm will undergo ultrasound imaging of the median nerve at the wrist. Measurements such as CSA and flattening ratio will be recorded. The goal is to evaluate ultrasound's effectiveness in diagnosing CTS compared to NCS.

This study involves two diagnostic interventions for evaluating CTS:

Ultrasound Examination (Diagnostic Intervention)

  1. A high-frequency ultrasound probe will be used to assess the median nerve at the wrist.
  2. Parameters measured include cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and echogenicity.

The goal is to determine if ultrasound can accurately diagnose CTS compared to NCS.

NCS (Diagnostic Intervention)

  1. Surface electrodes will be placed on the skin to stimulate and record median nerve conduction.
  2. Parameters such as latency, conduction velocity, and amplitude will be recorded.
  3. NCS serves as the gold standard for diagnosing CTS and will be used for comparison with ultrasound results.

Each participant will undergo both ultrasound and NCS, allowing researchers to compare their effectiveness in diagnosing CTS.

Other: Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) Group (Diagnostic Arm)
Participants in this arm will undergo an NCS to assess median nerve function. Parameters such as nerve conduction velocity, latency, and amplitude will be recorded. NCS findings will serve as the gold standard for comparison with ultrasound results.

This study involves two diagnostic interventions for evaluating CTS:

Ultrasound Examination (Diagnostic Intervention)

  1. A high-frequency ultrasound probe will be used to assess the median nerve at the wrist.
  2. Parameters measured include cross-sectional area, flattening ratio, and echogenicity.

The goal is to determine if ultrasound can accurately diagnose CTS compared to NCS.

NCS (Diagnostic Intervention)

  1. Surface electrodes will be placed on the skin to stimulate and record median nerve conduction.
  2. Parameters such as latency, conduction velocity, and amplitude will be recorded.
  3. NCS serves as the gold standard for diagnosing CTS and will be used for comparison with ultrasound results.

Each participant will undergo both ultrasound and NCS, allowing researchers to compare their effectiveness in diagnosing CTS.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Diagnostic Accuracy of Ultrasound Compared to Nerve Conduction Study for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Time Frame: Baseline
Measuring the sensitivity, specificity, and overall accuracy of ultrasound in diagnosing CTS compared to NCS Parameters, including Median Nerve Latency, Amplitude, and Nerve Conduction Velocity
Baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Syed Tameem Ul Hassan, MBBS, FCPS, Combined Military Hospital Kohat

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Estimated)

May 1, 2025

Primary Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2025

Study Completion (Estimated)

July 1, 2025

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

March 15, 2025

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 11, 2025

First Posted (Actual)

April 15, 2025

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

April 15, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

April 11, 2025

Last Verified

April 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

YES

IPD Plan Description

Following IPD will be shared

  1. De-identified demographic data that is age, gender, relevant medical history.
  2. Ultrasound measurements of the median nerve such as CSA and flattening ratio.
  3. NCS results such as latency, conduction velocity and amplitude.
  4. Clinical assessment findings such as Tinel's sign, Phalen's test results.

IPD Sharing Time Frame

After the completion of study, data will be provided on demand and will be available for 6 months post completion.

IPD Sharing Access Criteria

Researchers will be given access. Data will be shared via email.

IPD Sharing Supporting Information Type

  • STUDY_PROTOCOL
  • SAP
  • ICF
  • ANALYTIC_CODE
  • CSR

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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