Assessing the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome during physical examination by measuring two-point discrimination: Post-hoc analysis of prospectively collected data.

INTRODUCTION: Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) commonly presents after distal radius fractures. Assessing its degree of severity is essential to therapeutic decision-making - i.e. operative vs. conservative treatment. The role of the two-point discrimination (2PD) has not yet been evaluated as a potential indicator of severity during physical examination. Therefore, in our cross-sectional study, we aimed to find a correlation between 2PD values and disease severity, based on the gold-standard electromyography and electroneurography (EMG-ENG) and ultrasonography findings. METHODS: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of prospectively assessed CTS patients for 2PD values. We analyzed the correlation between 2PD and EMG-ENG measurement results, patient characteristics, nerve ultrasonography, and relevant CTS questionnaires. CTS severity was determined by EMG-ENG results. The Pearson correlation was calculated between variables. RESULTS: The study included 81 patients. The three pre-determined EMG-ENG severity categories showed a significant correlation between both 2PD values and 2PD severity categories (r= 0.29 [0.07-0.48] and r= 0.26 [0.03-0.45]). Distal sensory latency and conduction velocity values correlated significantly with 2PD categories. However, the correlation coefficients (r= 0.25 [0.02-0.46] and r=-0.24 [-0.37-0.07]) were low. The 2PD severity categories showed no significant correlation with the severity assessed by nerve ultrasound (r=-0.07 [-0.38-0.25]). The 2PD values showed a significant correlation between the values of the Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand (DASH) questionnaire (r= 0.3 [0.06-0.51]). We concluded that the best cut-off value for differentiating severe from non-severe CTS was at the 9.5 mm 2PD cut-off value (sensitivity = 0.65 [0.45-0.81], specificity = 0.71[0.58-0.82], AUC = 0.71 [0.59-0.83]). CONCLUSION: There is a significant correlation between 2PD values and the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome as determined by EMG-ENG; however, they are not interchangeable. Based on the results of our study, we propose that measuring two-point discrimination may be a quick and easy, reliable and cost-effective screening method to assess the severity of carpal tunnel syndrome following distal radius fractures.

Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography in acute lateral ankle ligament injury: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: The gold standard diagnostic method for acute lateral ankle ligament sprain is magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). However, it is hardly accessible and is time-consuming. Therefore, additional diagnostic methods are warranted. Point-of-care ultrasound, on the other hand, is inexpensive, widely available, time-efficient testing method. PURPOSE: Therefore, the aim of this meta-analysis is to determine the diagnostic accuracy of ultrasound for acute ankle ligament injuries compared to MRI. METHODS: In our systematic review and meta-analysis, we followed the recommendations of the Cochrane Handbook. We searched the following databases from inception to March 31, 2022: Medline (PubMed), EMBASE, and Cochrane Library. Eligible studies investigated the diagnostic accuracy of US compared to MRI for diagnosing acute lateral ankle ligament injuries. Finally, we calculated pooled sensitivity and specificity with a 95 % confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Eight studies met our eligibility criteria, involving 434 patients. For anterior tibiofibular ligament (ATFL) injury, the summary sensitivity and specificity were Se = 0.97 (CI: 0.89-0.99) and Sp = 0.93 (CI: 0.84-0.97). For calcaneofibular ligament (CFL) injury, the summary sensitivity and specificity were Se.: Se = 0.81 (CI: 0.58-0.93) and Sp = 0.92 [0,81;0,97]. In addition, subgroup analysis based on US performed by different types of investigators was comparable between each other (radiologist group Se = 0.98, CI: 0.24-1, and Sp = 0.91, CI: 0.74-0.97, and the orthopedic/ emergency department group Se = 0.96, CI: 0-1, and Sp = 0.97, CI: 0-1). CONCLUSION: Ultrasound showed high diagnostic accuracy for acute lateral ankle ligament injury, irrespective of the investigator. Therefore, based on the current available data, it could be used in primary diagnostics of acute lateral ankle ligament injury.

No Evidence for the Superiority of 3-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging Over 1.5-T Magnetic Resonance Imaging for Diagnosing Wrist Ligamentous Lesions: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To determine the diagnostic accuracy of native magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) regarding different ligamentous lesions of the wrist and to analyze the influence of technical characteristics, such as field strength, application of fat saturation, 3-dimensional sequences, and wrist coils. METHODS: A systematic search was performed using MEDLINE, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials databases. Studies that were published before February 12, 2024, were included. All studies comparing the diagnostic accuracy of native wrist MRI with that of wrist arthroscopy for suspected ligamentous lesions were included. Results were analyzed by anatomic localization and technical aspects of the MRI. To assess the quality of included studies, we used the revised Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies tool. RESULTS: The systematic search revealed 5,181 articles. Thirty-seven studies, reporting 3,893 ligamentous lesions, were eligible for inclusion. The studies displayed heterogeneity in terms of technical conditions, such as field strength, the use of wrist coils, the application of 3-dimensional sequences, and fat saturation. Research methods also varied. Overall sensitivity and specificity were 0.78 (0.66-0.86) and 0.81 (0.70-0.89) for 1.5-T MRI, whereas sensitivity was 0.73 (0.68-0.78) and specificity was 0.90 (0.59-0.98) for 3-T MRI. There was no significant difference between the 2 subgroups (P = .3807 and P = .4248). Sensitivity was 0.82 (0.75-0.87) for triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions, 0.63 (0.50-0.74) for scapholunate ligament tears, and 0.41 (0.25-0.60) for lunotriquetral ligament lesions. Specificity for triangular fibrocartilage complex lesions was 0.82 (0.73-0.89), for scapholunate ligament tears was 0.86 (0.73-0.93), and for lunotriquetral ligament lesions was 0.93 (0.81-0.98). CONCLUSIONS: The sensitivity and specificity of MRI are influenced by the anatomic location of the lesion and technical conditions. In terms of diagnostic accuracy, no significant difference was found between 1.5-T and 3-T MRI. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level III, systematic review of Level II-III studies.

Hyaluronate Acid Plus Platelet-Rich Plasma Is Superior to Steroids for Pain Relief Less Than 6 Months Using Injection Therapy of Partial Rotator Cuff Tears: A Systematic Review and Network Meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To compare the efficacy of steroid injections to other injectable therapies in partial-thickness rotator cuff (RC) tears. METHODS: A systematic literature search was performed until October 25, 2021, in 3 databases (Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE). Eligible studies compared the efficacy of steroid, hyaluronic acid (HA), platelet-rich plasma (PRP), the combination of HA and PRP (HA + PRP), and adipose-derived regenerative cells in RC tears. The primary outcomes were the visual analog scale (VAS), Constant-Murley Shoulder Outcome Score (CMS) and American Shoulder and Elbow Surgeons Standardized Shoulder Assessment Form. Using paired and network meta-analysis, we calculated pooled mean differences (MDs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: We included a total of 7 articles in the quantitative synthesis. In shorter periods, the HA + PRP combination was superior to the other substances we investigated (HA + PRP: VAS [0-4 weeks]: MD: -0.99 [95% CI, -1.62 to -0.36]; CMS [0-3 months]: 20.56 [95% CI, 16.18 to 24.94]. This combination was followed by the use of HA or PRP alone, depending on the duration of follow-up and the outcome being studied. In our study, short-term results suggest that saline is superior to steroids for partial tears, but this trend is reversed at 6-month follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: The HA and PRP combination is currently the most effective in partial RC tear treatment in the short term. After 6 months, there is no meaningful difference, so the benefits of the combination are short term. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: Level II, including Level I to II studies.