The overarching aim of this thesis is to improve the predictability of treatment outcome of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and assess the role of ultrasound.
The first part of this thesis focuses on factors that influence the treatment outcome of CTS. Initially, a study on the long-term follow-up of steroid injections in the treatment of CTS and additionally predictors for the need of a re-intervention are presented. In addition, we evaluate predictors for symptom relief after a carpal tunnel release.
There is expanding support for the added value of ultrasound in the management of CTS. Therefore, the second part focuses on the prognostic role of ultrasound in CTS. We recognized that the method for ultrasound analysis had to be optimized first. We therefore initially present a novel method for the analysis of dynamic ultrasound images. Subsequently, we present a clinical study on dynamic ultrasound of the median nerve and its association with patient-reported outcome.
Besides serving as a diagnostic imaging tool, ultrasound can also serve to guide interventions. The third part of this thesis describes the value of ultrasound to guide injections in the treatment of CTS.
With this work, we take a step towards more individualized treatment for CTS, potentially with the use of ultrasound. We also give direction for future research.

, ,
S.E.R. Hovius (Steven) , R.W. Selles (Ruud)
Erasmus University Rotterdam
hdl.handle.net/1765/116410
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

Evers, S. (2019, May 29). Tunnel Vision: Treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome and the role of ultrasound. Retrieved from http://hdl.handle.net/1765/116410