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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 4/2009

01-04-2009 | Scientific Article

Median nerve cross-sectional area and MRI diffusion characteristics: normative values at the carpal tunnel

Authors: Lawrence Yao, Neville Gai

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 4/2009

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Abstract

Objective

Enlargement of the median nerve is an objective potential imaging sign of carpal tunnel syndrome. Diffusion tensor MRI (DTI) may provide additional structural information that may prove useful in characterizing median neuropathy. This study further examines normal values for median nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), and fractional anisotropy (FA).

Materials and methods

Twenty-three wrists in 17 healthy volunteers underwent MRI of the wrist at 3 T. In 13 subjects, DTI was performed at a B value of 600 mm2/s. Median nerve CSA, ADC, and FA were analyzed at standardized anatomic levels.

Results

Mean (SD) median nerve CSA within the proximal carpal tunnel was 10.0 (3.4) mm2. The mean (SD) FA of the median nerve was 0.71 (0.06) and 0.70 (0.13) proximal to and within the carpal tunnel, respectively. There was a significant difference between nerve CSA and ADC, but not FA, at the distal forearm and proximal carpal tunnel. Nerve CSA, ADC, and FA did not differ between men and women or between dominant and non-dominant wrists. Nerve CSA at the proximal carpal tunnel was positively correlated with subject age and body mass index.

Conclusion

Our results suggest a 90% upper confidence limit for normal median nerve CSA of 14.4 mm2 at the proximal carpal tunnel, higher than normal limits reported by many ultrasound studies. We observed a difference between the CSA and ADC, but not the FA, of the median nerve at the distal forearm and proximal carpal tunnel levels.
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Metadata
Title
Median nerve cross-sectional area and MRI diffusion characteristics: normative values at the carpal tunnel
Authors
Lawrence Yao
Neville Gai
Publication date
01-04-2009
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 4/2009
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-008-0626-1

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