Objective:~In wrists with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) the sonographically measured largest cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve is increased. We compared the changes in largest CSA in wrists undergoing surgical decompression and wrists undergoing conservative treatment of CTS.~Methods:~Prospective cohort study in 55 consecutive patients with 78 wrists with established CTS, including 60 wrists with surgical decompression and 18 wrists with conservative treatment. A sonographic examination was scheduled before and at 4 months after initiation of treatment. Changes in CSA between wrists with surgical and wrists with conservative treatment were compared using linear regression models.
In wrists with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) the sonographically measured largest cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve is increased. We compared the changes in largest CSA in wrists undergoing surgical decompression and wrists undergoing conservative treatment of CTS.