Estudo comparativo entre o exame físico, a eletroneuromiografia e a ultrassonografia no diagnóstico da síndrome do túnel do carpo

The Impact of Reference Standard on Diagnostic Testing Characteristics for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Systematic Review

Lack of a reliable reference standard for carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) diagnosis could impact the diagnostic test characteristics. This systematic review sought to evaluate differences in the accuracy of CTS diagnostic modalities based on the reference standard used.

Methods

A systematic review was performed following PRISMA guidelines to investigate diagnostic modalities used in CTS. A literature search of Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Reviews was conducted for the years of 2010-2021 for primary data, and 113 studies met final inclusion criteria. Studies were stratified based on the reference standard utilized and diagnostic modality assessed, and the weighted means of the sensitivities and specificities were calculated.

Results

Thirty-five studies used clinical diagnosis alone as a reference standard, and 78 studies used electrodiagnostic study (EDS). The specificity for MRI and ultrasound (US) were substantially lower when EDS was used as the reference standard. MRI was the test most affected by the reference standard used, showing increased sensitivity when using EDS as the reference compared to clinical diagnosis (77.1% versus 60.9%) and decreased specificity (87.6% versus 99.2%). Regardless of the reference standard used, all tests had anticipated false-positive and/or false-negative rates of at least 10%.

Conclusions

Testing characteristics vary greatly based on the choice of reference standard, with the sensitivity of MRI most affected. Regardless of reference standard used, EDS, US, and MRI each had false-positive and/or false-negative rates too great to be appropriate for use as a screening examination.

How to Differentiate Pronator Syndrome from Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Comprehensive Clinical Comparison

The diagnostic process that allows pronator syndrome to be differentiated reliably from carpal tunnel syndrome remains a challenge for clinicians, as evidenced by the most common cause of pronator syndrome misdiagnosis: carpal tunnel syndrome. Pronator syndrome can be caused by compression of the median nerve as it passes through the anatomical structures of the forearm, while carpal tunnel syndrome refers to one particular topographic area within which compression occurs, the carpal tunnel. The present narrative review is a complex clinical comparison of the two syndromes with their anatomical backgrounds involving topographical relationships, morphology, clinical picture, differential diagnosis, and therapeutic options. It discusses the most frequently used diagnostic techniques and their correct interpretations. Its main goal is to provide an up-to-date picture of the current understanding of the disease processes and their etiologies, to establish an appropriate diagnosis, and introduce relevant treatment benefiting the patient.

Diagnosing Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: Diagnostic Test Accuracy of Scales, Questionnaires, and Hand Symptom Diagrams-A Systematic Review

OBJECTIVE

To summarize and evaluate research on the accuracy of clinical diagnostic scales, questionnaires, and hand symptom diagrams/maps used for diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS).

DESIGN

Systematic review of diagnostic test accuracy.

LITERATURE SEARCH

A comprehensive literature search of the MEDLINE, CINAHL, and Embase databases was conducted on January 20, 2020.

STUDY SELECTION CRITERIA

Studies that assessed at least 1 diagnostic accuracy property of the scales, questionnaires, and hand symptom diagrams used for the diagnosis of CTS.

DATA SYNTHESIS

The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines were followed. Risk of bias and applicability concerns were assessed using the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) tool. Diagnostic accuracy properties were summarized.

RESULTS

Out of 4052 citations after removing duplicates, 21 articles met the inclusion criteria. Twelve articles reported on the diagnostic accuracy of scales and questionnaires, including the Bland questionnaire, Kamath and Stothard questionnaire, 6-item carpal tunnel syndrome symptoms scale (CTS-6), Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire, Wainner clinical prediction rule, and Lo clinical prediction rule. Positive likelihood ratios ranged from 0.94 for the Boston Carpal Tunnel Questionnaire to 10.5 for the CTS-6, and negative likelihood ratios ranged from 1.04 to 0.05 for the same diagnostic tools, respectively. Nine studies reported the diagnostic accuracy of the Katz and Stirrat hand symptom diagram. Positive and negative likelihood ratios ranged from 1.42 to 8 and from 0.78 to 0.05, respectively. Only 4 studies had high methodologic quality.

CONCLUSION

Limited evidence supports high accuracy of the CTS-6, Kamath and Stothard questionnaire, and Katz and Stirrat hand symptom diagram. Other scales have lesser and more conflicting evidence. Further high-quality studies are necessary to examine the diagnostic accuracy of these tests to assist ruling in or ruling out CTS. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2020;50(11):622-631. Epub 16 Sep 2020. doi:10.2519/jospt.2020.9599.

Carpal tunnel syndrome: Investigating the sensitivity of initial-diagnosis with electro-diagnostic tests in 600 cases and associated risk factors especially manual milking

BACKGROUND

Electro-diagnostic studies are the most reliable methods in diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Although there are many risk factors associated with CTS, there are a limited number of studies in the literature indicating that manual milking, which is frequently seen in Turkey, is a risk factor for CTS.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate demographic findings of cases referred due to initial diagnosis of CTS as well as aetiological data especially manual milking and to investigate the sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS.

METHODS

Six hundred patients, who were referred to our electromyography laboratory due to initial diagnosis of CTS, were included. Demographic findings, duration of complaints, existence of diabetes mellitus, and manual milking histories of all patients were recorded. Sensitivity of initial diagnosis was investigated based on electro-diagnostic test results.

RESULTS

According to electro-diagnostic test results, 289 of the patients were diagnosed with CTS (48.17%). 110 (18.3%) of 600 patients had a history of manual milking. In 94 of this group (85.4%), CTS was detected. Statistically significant correlation was found between CTS and age, female gender, duration of complaints, obesity and manual milking.

CONCLUSIONS

This study confirms that manual milking is an important risk factor for CTS in addition to female gender, age, symptom duration and obesity. The fact that sensitivity of initial diagnosis of CTS was found to be low according to electro-diagnostic test results indicates importance of detailed clinical evaluation.