Research progress of imaging diagnosis in occupational carpal tunnel syndrome
10.20001/j.issn.2095-2619.20251220
- VernacularTitle:职业性腕管综合征影像学诊断研究进展
- Author:
Tao ZHOU
1
;
Yuteng ZHANG
;
Yan JIANG
;
Hong DING
;
Maitao JIANG
;
Xiuhua YANG
Author Information
1. The First Affiliated Hospital of Harbin Medical University, Harbin, Heilongjiang 150000, China
- Publication Type:Review
- Keywords:
Imaging diagnosis;
Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome;
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders;
Ultrasonography;
Magnetic resonance imaging;
Computed tomography
- From:
China Occupational Medicine
2025;52(6):705-708
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Occupational carpal tunnel syndrome (OCTS) has been included in the official list of occupational diseases in China. Imaging techniques have been widely applied in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS), including OCTS, owing to their advantages of visualization, non-invasiveness, and high patient compliance. Computed tomography (CT) can be used to visualize bony structures of the wrist, however, it has limited resolution for nerve compression caused by non-osseous factors. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) provides high-resolution visualization of the microstructure of muscles, nerves, and surrounding tissues, particularly diffusion-weighted magnetic resonance neuroimaging for assessment of the median nerve. However, MRI is costly and time-consuming. Therefore, both CT and MRI are limited in CTS diagnosis. Ultrasonography has its advantages, such as real-time dynamic assessment, low cost, non-invasiveness, and non-ionizing radiation effect. High-frequency ultrasound has shown correlations with nerve conduction and electromyography findings in the progression and diagnosis of CTS. Real-time shear wave elastography enables quantitative assessment of tissue elasticity and stiffness, while superb microvascular imaging allows quantitative evaluation of intraneural microvascular flow, compensating for the subjectivity of conventional high-frequency ultrasound. According to GBZ 336-2025 Diagnostic Standard for Occupational Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, high-frequency ultrasound examination of the wrist has been listed as an important diagnostic basis for OCTS. Future studies should explore the combined use of multimodal ultrasound techniques (high-frequency ultrasound, SMI, and SWE) to construct a comprehensive diagnostic model for OCTS that integrates multi-dimensional imaging features with neurophysiological parameters and occupational exposure history, thereby enhancing diagnostic accuracy and objectivity.
