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Ando S, Loh PY. Convolutional Neural Network Approaches in Median Nerve Morphological Assessment from Ultrasound Images. J Imaging 2024; 10:13. [PMID: 38248998 PMCID: PMC10817571 DOI: 10.3390/jimaging10010013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2023] [Revised: 12/27/2023] [Accepted: 12/29/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Ultrasound imaging has been used to investigate compression of the median nerve in carpal tunnel syndrome patients. Ultrasound imaging and the extraction of median nerve parameters from ultrasound images are crucial and are usually performed manually by experts. The manual annotation of ultrasound images relies on experience, and intra- and interrater reliability may vary among studies. In this study, two types of convolutional neural networks (CNNs), U-Net and SegNet, were used to extract the median nerve morphology. To the best of our knowledge, the application of these methods to ultrasound imaging of the median nerve has not yet been investigated. Spearman's correlation and Bland-Altman analyses were performed to investigate the correlation and agreement between manual annotation and CNN estimation, namely, the cross-sectional area, circumference, and diameter of the median nerve. The results showed that the intersection over union (IoU) of U-Net (0.717) was greater than that of SegNet (0.625). A few images in SegNet had an IoU below 0.6, decreasing the average IoU. In both models, the IoU decreased when the median nerve was elongated longitudinally with a blurred outline. The Bland-Altman analysis revealed that, in general, both the U-Net- and SegNet-estimated measurements showed 95% limits of agreement with manual annotation. These results show that these CNN models are promising tools for median nerve ultrasound imaging analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shion Ando
- Department of Mechanical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan;
| | - Ping Yeap Loh
- Department of Human Life Design and Science, Faculty of Design, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 819-0395, Japan
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Anderson DA, Oliver ML, Gordon KD. Quantification of carpal tunnel morphology using centroid-to-boundary distance shape signatures. Med Eng Phys 2023; 115:103976. [PMID: 37120172 DOI: 10.1016/j.medengphy.2023.103976] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/12/2022] [Revised: 02/10/2023] [Accepted: 04/06/2023] [Indexed: 05/01/2023]
Abstract
Morphology analysis is valuable to understanding risk factors and the etiology of carpal tunnel (CT) syndrome. The objective of this study was to investigate morphology changes along the length of the CT using shape signatures (SS). Analysis was performed on ten cadaveric specimens in neutral wrist posture. Centroid-to-boundary distance SS were generated for proximal, middle, and distal CT cross-sections. Phase shift and Euclidean distance were quantified relative to a template SS for each specimen. Medial, lateral, palmar, and dorsal peaks were identified on each SS to generate metrics of tunnel width, tunnel depth, peak amplitude, peak angle. Width and depth measures were also performed using previously reported methods to serve as a basis of comparison. The phase shift revealed twisting of 21° between the ends of the tunnel. Distance from the template and width varied significantly over the length of the tunnel, while depth did not. Measures of width and depth using the SS method were consistent with previously reported methods. The SS method afforded the advantage of peak analysis with overall trends of peak amplitude indicating flattening of the tunnel at the proximal and distal ends relative to a rounder shape in the middle.
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Jordan D, Zhang H, Li ZM. Spatial Relationship of the Median Nerve and Transverse Carpal Ligament in Asymptomatic Hands. J Biomech Eng 2023; 145:031003. [PMID: 36416297 PMCID: PMC9791676 DOI: 10.1115/1.4056290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 11/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
The spacing between the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament (TCL) within the carpal tunnel can potentially affect the nerve morphology. This study aimed to quantify the spatial relationship between the median nerve and transverse carpal ligament in asymptomatic hands. Twelve subjects were recruited to image the carpal tunnel using robot-assisted ultrasound. The median nerve and TCL were segmented from each image and three-dimensionally reconstructed using kinematic information from the robot. The TCL-median nerve distance, nerve cross-sectional area, circularity, and position were measured along the entirety of the nerve length within the carpal tunnel. Results were averaged at every 5% of nerve length. At the nerve length percentages of 0% (distal), 25%, 50%, 75%, and 100% (proximal), the TCL-median nerve distance (±SD) was 0.7 ± 0.4, 0.7 ± 0.2, 0.5 ± 0.2, 0.5 ± 0.2, and 0.6 ± 0.3 mm, respectively. The corresponding nerve cross-sectional area was 9.4 ± 1.9, 10.6 ± 2.6, 11.2 ± 2.1, 11.2 ± 1.7, and 9.7 ± 1.9 mm2. A one-way analysis of variance showed no significant differences between the respective percentages of nerve length for TCL-median nerve distance (p = 0.219) and cross-sectional area (p = 0.869). Significant (p < 0.0001) but weak correlations were observed between the TCL-median nerve distance with cross-sectional area (r = -0.247) and circularity (r = -0.244). This study shows that the healthy median nerve morphology is consistent along the continuous nerve length within the carpal tunnel, supporting the use of 2D imaging in the evaluation of the healthy nerve.
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Affiliation(s)
- David Jordan
- Hand Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona, 1501 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Hui Zhang
- Hand Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona, 1501 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724
| | - Zong-Ming Li
- Hand Research Laboratory, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona College of Medicine, 1501 N Campbell Avenue, Tucson, AZ 85724
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Li ZM, Jordan DB. Carpal tunnel mechanics and its relevance to carpal tunnel syndrome. Hum Mov Sci 2023; 87:103044. [PMID: 36442295 PMCID: PMC9839559 DOI: 10.1016/j.humov.2022.103044] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2022] [Accepted: 11/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
Abstract
The carpal tunnel is an elaborate biomechanical structure whose pathomechanics plays an essential role in the development of carpal tunnel syndrome. The purpose of this article is to review the movement related biomechanics of the carpal tunnel together with its anatomical and morphological features, and to describe the pathomechanics and pathophysiology associated with carpal tunnel syndrome. Topics of discussion include biomechanics of the median nerve, flexor tendons, subsynovial tissue, transverse carpal ligament, carpal tunnel pressure, and morphological properties, as well as mechanisms for biomechanical improvement and physiological restoration. It is our hope that the biomechanical knowledge of the carpal tunnel will improve the understanding and management of carpal tunnel syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zong-Ming Li
- Hand Research Laboratory, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America.
| | - David B Jordan
- Hand Research Laboratory, Departments of Orthopaedic Surgery and Biomedical Engineering, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States of America
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Carpal tunnel volume distribution and morphology changes with flexion-extension and radial-ulnar deviation wrist postures. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0277234. [PMID: 36449537 PMCID: PMC9710750 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0277234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2022] [Accepted: 10/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Non-neutral wrist postures have been reported to cause decreased carpal tunnel volume (CTV) contributing to impingement of the median nerve and development of carpal tunnel syndrome. Recent analysis found CTV did not change with ±20° flexion-extension (FE), however, CTV decreased with ulnar deviation over the range of -5° to 15° radial-ulnar deviation (RUD). These findings suggest CTV may be too coarse of a measure to reflect the effects of slight non-neutral postures, or that volume is conserved and redistributed due to changes in tunnel morphology with posture. The objective of this study was to assess volume distribution along the length of the carpal tunnel and to quantify regional morphology changes with deviated wrist postures in both FE and RUD. Analysis was performed on a dataset of computed tomography scans collected on ten cadaveric specimens (5 male, 5 female, mean age = 80.7 ± 10.9 years) over a range of FE and RUD postures. The carpal tunnel of each scan was divided into four quartiles of equal length along the tunnel to quantify volume distribution. Volume within the carpal tunnel was seen to redistribute with both FE and RUD. Decreased volume in the distal aspect of the tunnel with flexion and proximal aspect of the tunnel with ulnar deviation may contribute to localized compression of the medial nerve. Measures of mean cross-sectional area, width and depth by quartile provided an indication of the morphology changes associated volume redistribution. Morphology analysis also revealed twisting between the proximal and distal aspects of the tunnel which increased with flexion and ulnar deviation and may further contribute to strain on the median nerve.
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Shah R, Li ZM. Three-Dimensional Carpal Arch Morphology Using Robot-Assisted Ultrasonography. IEEE Trans Biomed Eng 2022; 69:894-898. [PMID: 34460363 PMCID: PMC9190071 DOI: 10.1109/tbme.2021.3108720] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The morphology of the carpal arch implicates the available space for the median nerve within the carpal tunnel. The purposes of this study were to 1) reconstruct the three-dimensional (3D) carpal arch by robot-assisted ultrasonography with a linear array transducer using cadaveric hands, and 2) investigate the 3D morphological properties of the carpal arch. METHODS An ultrasound probe with two-dimensional (2D) linear array was integrated on a robotic arm and maneuvered over the cadaveric carpal tunnels to scan the entire transverse carpal ligament and its osseous attachments to carpal bones. The acquired series of 2D ultrasound images together with robot positioning were utilized to reconstruct the 3D carpal arch for morphometric analyses. RESULTS Total carpal arch volume was 1099.4 ± 163.2 mm3 with the distal, middle, and proximal regions contributing 18.2 ± 1.5%, 32.7 ± 1.2%, and 49.1 ± 2.3%, respectively. The ligament surface area was 420.1 ± 63.9 mm2. The carpal arch width, height, curvature, length, area, and palmar bowing index progressively increased from the distal to proximal locations within the tunnel (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION The incorporation of the robot technology with the ultrasound system advanced the applications of traditional 2D ultrasound imaging for a 3D carpal arch reconstruction, allowing for comprehensive morphological assessment of the carpal arch. SIGNIFICANCE The developed workflow can be used for the reconstruction and analysis of other anatomical features in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rakshit Shah
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724, USA
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Zhang H, Loss J, Li ZM. Carpal Arch Changes in Response to Thenar Muscle Loading. J Biomech Eng 2021; 143:101003. [PMID: 33938948 PMCID: PMC8299799 DOI: 10.1115/1.4051046] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2020] [Revised: 04/14/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
This study investigated the biomechanical effects of thenar muscles (abductor pollicis brevis (APB), superficial head of flexor pollicis brevis (sFPB), opponens pollicis (OPP)) on the transverse carpal ligament formed carpal arch under force application by individual or combined muscles (APB, sFPB, OPP, APB-sFPB, sFPB-OPP, APB-OPP, and APB-sFPB-OPP). In ten cadaveric hands, thenar muscles were loaded under 15% of their respective maximal force capacity, and ultrasound images of the cross section of the distal carpal tunnel were collected for morphometric analyses of the carpal arch. The carpal arch height and area were significantly dependent on the loading condition (p < 0.01), muscle combination (p < 0.05), and their interaction (p < 0.01). The changes to arch height and area were significantly dependent on the muscle combinations (p = 0.001 and p < 0.001, respectively). The arch height and area increased under the loading combinations of APB, OPP, APB-sFPB, APB-OPP, or APB-sFPB-OPP (p < 0.05), but not under the combinations of sFPB (p = 0.893) or sFPB-OPP (p = 0.338). The carpal arch change under the APB-sFPB-OPP or APB-OPP loading was greater than that under the loading of APB-sFPB (p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that thenar muscle forces exert biomechanical effects on the transverse carpal ligament to increase carpal arch height and area, and these increases were different for individual muscles and their combinations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Zhang
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand Research Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724; Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115
| | - Jeremy Loss
- Department of Chemical and Biomedical Engineering, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH 44115
| | - Zong-Ming Li
- Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Hand Research Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Hand Research Laboratory, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ 85724
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Hosseini-Farid M, Schrier VJMM, Starlinger J, Amadio PC. Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Treatment and the Subsequent Alterations in Median Nerve Transverse Mobility. JOURNAL OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE : OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF ULTRASOUND IN MEDICINE 2021; 40:1555-1568. [PMID: 33073880 PMCID: PMC8053734 DOI: 10.1002/jum.15535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2020] [Revised: 09/15/2020] [Accepted: 09/18/2020] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The mobility (transverse movement) of the median nerve (MN) is decreased in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome and can be measured noninvasively by ultrasound. To date, there are few prognostic features to help predict the outcome of 2 commonly performed treatments: surgical carpal tunnel release and corticosteroid injection. This study aimed to assess the changes in nerve mobility after the intervention and to correlate this with treatment and the disease severity. METHODS A total of 181 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome with different electrophysiologic severities were recruited and assessed by dynamic ultrasound scanning of the MN before and after treatment. The dynamic ultrasound images were collected while the patients performed finger and wrist flexion. RESULTS For both injection and carpal tunnel release, the nerve displacement increased with wrist flexion, from a mean ± SD of 7.0 ± 2.4 to 7.9 ± 2.7 mm (P < .005). Patients who underwent surgery showed greater improvement (P < .005) in nerve mobility compared to those who underwent injection. We also observed that the increase in nerve mobility was predominantly in patients with more nerve damage at baseline. CONCLUSIONS This study shows that the dynamic behavior of the MN changes in response to treatment and lays a foundation for future studies to assess the prognostic potential of nerve mobility measurement.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mohammad Hosseini-Farid
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- College of Computing and Engineering, Nova Southeastern University, Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA
| | - Verena J M M Schrier
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Julia Starlinger
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
- Department of Orthopedics and Trauma Surgery, Medical University Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Peter C Amadio
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota, USA
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