Comparing Efficacies of Median Nerve Hydrodissection With Dexamethasone and Dextrose in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome

NCT ID: NCT06400433

Last Updated: 2025-01-31

Study Results

Results pending

The study team has not published outcome measurements, participant flow, or safety data for this trial yet. Check back later for updates.

Basic Information

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Recruitment Status

COMPLETED

Clinical Phase

NA

Total Enrollment

88 participants

Study Classification

INTERVENTIONAL

Study Start Date

2024-05-13

Study Completion Date

2024-09-30

Brief Summary

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The aim of this study is to compare the efficacy of ultrasonography-guided hydrodissection technique with 5% dextrose and dexamethasone injectates when applied in different volumes in the treatment of mild to moderate carpal tunnel syndrome.

Detailed Description

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Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common peripheral nerve entrapment neuropathy worldwide, resulting from the compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel, an osteofibrous canal whose roof is formed by the flexor retinaculum and whose floor is formed by the carpal bones. CTS accounts for approximately 90% of all entrapment neuropathies, and an individual's lifetime risk of diagnosis is estimated to be 10%. It is estimated that about 5% of the population suffers from CTS. It is more common in women compared to men and at least half of the cases manifests between the ages of 40 and 60.

In clinical practice, the most common complaints of patients include neuropathic symptoms along the distribution of the median nerve. These complaints, which initially occur and flare up at night and intermittently during the day, may become continuous and worsen in the later stages of the disease.

Taking an accurate history and clinical assessment is crucial for diagnosis. Evaluation of sensory abnormalities, loss of two point discrimination, and the strength of abductor pollicis brevis muscle can provide information about functional impairment. Tinel's sign and Phalen's manoeuvre are some of diagnostic tests. Some scales and questionnaires are used in diagnosis and assessment of functionality. Ultrasonography is a useful, inexpensive and easily accessible method to simultaneously observe morphological changes in the median nerve and scan the surrounding anatomy. Electrophysiological assessment is very sensitive in examining median nerve dysfunction caused by nerve damage. Nerve conduction studies are considered the gold standard method in diagnosis, determining prognosis and making treatment decisions.

The management of CTS in patients depends on the severity of the disease. In mild and moderate circumstances conservative treatments are recommended for the patients. Surgery is typically considered for patients with moderate to severe CTS or individuals who do not experience significant improvement with conservative treatments. Conservative treatments include patient education, wrist splinting, medical treatments, physical therapy, and perineural injections.

Ultrasound-guided nerve hydrodissection injection has emerged as a therapeutic approach with less complications for CTS. This method aims to achieve mechanical release from perineural adhesions by creating a perineural fluid plane.Various injectates such as normal saline, 5% dextrose, and platelet-rich plasma,viscosupplements are commonly used for hydrodissection. Many studies have been conducted with the hypothesis that the injection volume, in addition to the injection preparation, would also be important in median nerve hydrodissection, and different results have been obtained.

This study aimed to compare the clinical, ultrasonographic and electrophysiological improvement in patients by applying different volumes of dexamethasone and dextrose in median nerve hydrodissection. Patients will be evaluated before and after treatment at 2nd, 4th and 12th weeks ultrasonographically, electrophysiologically and clinically with pain scores, handgrip strength assesment, two-point discrimination values, functional and disability scales.

Conditions

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Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Median Nerve Entrapment Entrapment Neuropathy

Study Design

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Allocation Method

RANDOMIZED

Intervention Model

PARALLEL

Primary Study Purpose

TREATMENT

Blinding Strategy

TRIPLE

Participants Caregivers Investigators
The patient, the administering physician, the physician conducting the clinical and ultrasonographic evaluation, and the physician performing the electrophysiological examination will not be informed about the injection materials assigned to the patients.

Study Groups

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5 ml of %5 dextrose

The physical examination, handgrip strength values, two-point discrimination, pain scoring (numeric rating scale), Q-DASH, BCTQ, CTS-6 scores, and ultrasonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area values of the patients in this group will be evaluated and recorded by the first physician before the treatment and at the second, fourth, and twelfth weeks. The nerve conduction study will be examined by the second physician before the treatment and at the twelfth week.

Patients in this group will be treated with ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection by in-plane technique with 5 ml of %5 dextrose solution.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Injected wrist will be supinated and slightly dorsiflexed. The transducer of the ultrasound will be placed transversely at the proximal carpal inlet. After sterile preparation, a 22 gauge needle will be inserted using the short-axis technique, in-plane ulnar approach. During hydrodissection, separation of either between the median nerve and flexor retinaculum or between the median nerve and the underlying flexor tendons will be visually confirmed.

10 ml of %5 dextrose

The physical examination, handgrip strength values, two-point discrimination, pain scoring (numeric rating scale), Q-DASH, BCTQ, CTS-6 scores, and ultrasonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area values of the patients in this group will be evaluated and recorded by the first physician before the treatment and at the second, fourth, and twelfth weeks. The nerve conduction study will be examined by the second physician before the treatment and at the twelfth week.

Patients in this group will be treated with ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection by in-plane technique with 10 ml of %5 dextrose solution.

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Injected wrist will be supinated and slightly dorsiflexed. The transducer of the ultrasound will be placed transversely at the proximal carpal inlet. After sterile preparation, a 22 gauge needle will be inserted using the short-axis technique, in-plane ulnar approach. During hydrodissection, separation of either between the median nerve and flexor retinaculum or between the median nerve and the underlying flexor tendons will be visually confirmed.

2 ml of 8 mg dexamethasone + 3 ml normal saline

The physical examination, handgrip strength values, two-point discrimination, pain scoring (numeric rating scale), Q-DASH, BCTQ, CTS-6 scores, and ultrasonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area values of the patients in this group will be evaluated and recorded by the first physician before the treatment and at the second, fourth, and twelfth weeks. The nerve conduction study will be examined by the second physician before the treatment and at the twelfth week.

Patients in this group will be treated with ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection by in-plane technique with 2 ml of 8 mg dexamethasone + 3 ml %0,9 NaCl solution (normal saline).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Injected wrist will be supinated and slightly dorsiflexed. The transducer of the ultrasound will be placed transversely at the proximal carpal inlet. After sterile preparation, a 22 gauge needle will be inserted using the short-axis technique, in-plane ulnar approach. During hydrodissection, separation of either between the median nerve and flexor retinaculum or between the median nerve and the underlying flexor tendons will be visually confirmed.

2 ml of 8 mg dexamethasone + 8 ml normal saline

The physical examination, handgrip strength values, two-point discrimination, pain scoring (numeric rating scale), Q-DASH, BCTQ, CTS-6 scores, and ultrasonographically measured median nerve cross-sectional area values of the patients in this group will be evaluated and recorded by the first physician before the treatment and at the second, fourth, and twelfth weeks. The nerve conduction study will be examined by the second physician before the treatment and at the twelfth week.

Patients in this group will be treated with ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection by in-plane technique with 2 ml of 8 mg dexamethasone + 8 ml %0,9 NaCl solution (normal saline).

Group Type ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Injected wrist will be supinated and slightly dorsiflexed. The transducer of the ultrasound will be placed transversely at the proximal carpal inlet. After sterile preparation, a 22 gauge needle will be inserted using the short-axis technique, in-plane ulnar approach. During hydrodissection, separation of either between the median nerve and flexor retinaculum or between the median nerve and the underlying flexor tendons will be visually confirmed.

Interventions

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Ultrasound-guided median nerve hydrodissection

Injected wrist will be supinated and slightly dorsiflexed. The transducer of the ultrasound will be placed transversely at the proximal carpal inlet. After sterile preparation, a 22 gauge needle will be inserted using the short-axis technique, in-plane ulnar approach. During hydrodissection, separation of either between the median nerve and flexor retinaculum or between the median nerve and the underlying flexor tendons will be visually confirmed.

Intervention Type PROCEDURE

Eligibility Criteria

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Inclusion Criteria

* Patients who are 18 years of age or older
* Patients who are clinically diagnosed with CTS
* Patients who have mild or moderate CTS confirmed by EMG study
* Patients unresponsive to 2-weeks of nightly volar wrist splinting

Exclusion Criteria

* Patients who are younger than 18 years of age
* Patients with severe EMG study
* Presence of thenar atrophy
* Patients diagnosed with cervical radiculopathy, myelopathy, brachial plexopathy or polyneuropathy
* Patients diagnosed with thoracic outlet syndrome
* Patients diagnosed with inflammatory rheumatic disease
* Patients diagnosed with connective tissue disease
* Patients diagnosed with neuromuscular disease
* Patients diagnosed with peripheral vascular disease
* Patients with history of malignancy
* Patients who have uncontrolled hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism or diabetes mellitus
* Patients diagnosed with chronic renal failure
* Patients diagnosed with acromegaly
* Patients with history of surgery and/or fracture at the symptomatic upper extremity
* Patients with a history of injection into the median nerve lasting less than 6 months at the symptomatic wrist
* Patients who are pregnant
* Patients with history of chronic steroid or chronic alcohol use
Minimum Eligible Age

18 Years

Eligible Sex

ALL

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

No

Sponsors

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Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

OTHER

Sponsor Role lead

Responsible Party

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Sevgi Selin Kurtoglu

Residency doctor

Responsibility Role PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

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Sevgi S Kurtoglu, MD

Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Kenan Akgun, MD

Role: STUDY_DIRECTOR

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Rana Terlemez, MD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Jale Zare, MD

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

Locations

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Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa (IUC)

Istanbul, Fatih, Turkey (Türkiye)

Site Status

Countries

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Turkey (Türkiye)

References

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Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, Pazzaglia C, Paolasso I, Loreti C, Caliandro P, Hobson-Webb LD. Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol. 2016 Nov;15(12):1273-1284. doi: 10.1016/S1474-4422(16)30231-9. Epub 2016 Oct 11.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 27751557 (View on PubMed)

Mondelli M, Giannini F, Giacchi M. Carpal tunnel syndrome incidence in a general population. Neurology. 2002 Jan 22;58(2):289-94. doi: 10.1212/wnl.58.2.289.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 11805259 (View on PubMed)

Atroshi I, Gummesson C, Johnsson R, Ornstein E, Ranstam J, Rosen I. Prevalence of carpal tunnel syndrome in a general population. JAMA. 1999 Jul 14;282(2):153-8. doi: 10.1001/jama.282.2.153.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10411196 (View on PubMed)

Padua L, Padua R, Lo Monaco M, Aprile I, Tonali P. Multiperspective assessment of carpal tunnel syndrome: a multicenter study. Italian CTS Study Group. Neurology. 1999 Nov 10;53(8):1654-9. doi: 10.1212/wnl.53.8.1654.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 10563608 (View on PubMed)

Wong SM, Griffith JF, Hui AC, Lo SK, Fu M, Wong KS. Carpal tunnel syndrome: diagnostic usefulness of sonography. Radiology. 2004 Jul;232(1):93-9. doi: 10.1148/radiol.2321030071. Epub 2004 May 20.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 15155897 (View on PubMed)

Fowler JR, Gaughan JP, Ilyas AM. The sensitivity and specificity of ultrasound for the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome: a meta-analysis. Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2011 Apr;469(4):1089-94. doi: 10.1007/s11999-010-1637-5. Epub 2010 Oct 21.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 20963527 (View on PubMed)

Padua L, LoMonaco M, Gregori B, Valente EM, Padua R, Tonali P. Neurophysiological classification and sensitivity in 500 carpal tunnel syndrome hands. Acta Neurol Scand. 1997 Oct;96(4):211-7. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1997.tb00271.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 9325471 (View on PubMed)

Padua L, LoMonaco M, Aulisa L, Tamburrelli F, Valente EM, Padua R, Gregori B, Tonali P. Surgical prognosis in carpal tunnel syndrome: usefulness of a preoperative neurophysiological assessment. Acta Neurol Scand. 1996 Nov;94(5):343-6. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-0404.1996.tb07077.x.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8947287 (View on PubMed)

Jablecki CK, Andary MT, So YT, Wilkins DE, Williams FH. Literature review of the usefulness of nerve conduction studies and electromyography for the evaluation of patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. AAEM Quality Assurance Committee. Muscle Nerve. 1993 Dec;16(12):1392-414. doi: 10.1002/mus.880161220.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 8232399 (View on PubMed)

Ostergaard PJ, Meyer MA, Earp BE. Non-operative Treatment of Carpal Tunnel Syndrome. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2020 Apr;13(2):141-147. doi: 10.1007/s12178-020-09616-0.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 32124335 (View on PubMed)

Malone DG, Clark TB, Wei N. Ultrasound-guided percutaneous injection, hydrodissection, and fenestration for carpal tunnel syndrome: description of a new technique. J Appl Res. (2010) 10:117.

Reference Type BACKGROUND

Evers S, Thoreson AR, Smith J, Zhao C, Geske JR, Amadio PC. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection decreases gliding resistance of the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. Muscle Nerve. 2018 Jan;57(1):25-32. doi: 10.1002/mus.25723. Epub 2017 Jul 6.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 28622409 (View on PubMed)

Lin MT, Liao CL, Hsiao MY, Hsueh HW, Chao CC, Wu CH. Volume Matters in Ultrasound-Guided Perineural Dextrose Injection for Carpal Tunnel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blinded, Three-Arm Trial. Front Pharmacol. 2020 Dec 17;11:625830. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.625830. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33391002 (View on PubMed)

Buntragulpoontawee M, Chang KV, Vitoonpong T, Pornjaksawan S, Kitisak K, Saokaew S, Kanchanasurakit S. The Effectiveness and Safety of Commonly Used Injectates for Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection Treatment of Peripheral Nerve Entrapment Syndromes: A Systematic Review. Front Pharmacol. 2021 Mar 5;11:621150. doi: 10.3389/fphar.2020.621150. eCollection 2020.

Reference Type BACKGROUND
PMID: 33746745 (View on PubMed)

Other Identifiers

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IstanbulUC-SKurtoglu-01

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id

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