Table 4

Studies comparing imaging versus palpation guidance at peripheral nerves (PICO1)

Year authorSTUDY
DESIGN
ImagingComparatorDiseaseNo Imaging/
Comparator
Intervention (COMPOUND)SITEFAVORS imaging*FAVORS comparator*No difference between imaging and comparator*RoB†
US vs palpation guidance
2017
Eslamian45
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS27/20injection
(methylprednisolone)
carpal tunnel1 x Efficacy (3 m)1 x Safety (BSL,3 m)
1 x Efficacy (BSL,3 m)
Embedded Image
2019
Vahdatpour40
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS29/23injection
(methylprednisolone)
carpal tunnel1 x Efficacy (4,12 w)1 x Efficacy (4,12 w)2 x Safety (BSL, 4, 12 w)
4 x Efficacy (BSL, 4, 12 w)
Embedded Image
2019
Roh41
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS39/35injection
(lidocaine, triamcinolone)
carpal tunnel1 x Safety (4 w)1 x Safety (24 w)
2 x Efficacy (BSL, 4, 12,24 w)
1 x Efficacy (24 w)
Embedded Image
2018 Chen44RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS17 (22 wrists)
/14 (17 wrists)
injection
(betamethasone)
carpal tunnel1 x Safety (1 w)4 x Safety (BSL,1 w,1,3,6 m)
20 x Efficacy (BSL,1,3,6 m)
Embedded Image
2013
Makhlouf46
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS37 wrists
/40 wrists
injection, hydrodissection
(lidocaine, triamcinolone)
carpal tunnel6 x Safety (BSL,2 w,6 m)
3 x Efficacy (2 w, 6 m,12 m)
1 x Cost/Time (12 m)
1 x Cost/Time (12 m)1 x Safety (12 m)
2 x Cost/Time (12 m)
Embedded Image
2018
Omar43
Prospective cohort studyUSPalpation guidanceCTS15/15injection
(lidocaine, triamcinolone)
carpal tunnel2 x Efficacy (4 w)1 x Efficacy (4 w)2 x Safety (BSL,4w)
8 x Efficacy (BSL,4w)
Embedded Image
2013
Üstün47
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS23/23injection
(methylprednisolone)
carpal tunnel1 x Efficacy (6 w)2 x Safety (BSL,6,12w)
1 x Efficacy (BSL,6,12w)
Embedded Image
2019
Rayegani61
RCTUSPalpation guidanceCTS54/27injection (triamcinolone, lidocaine)carpal tunnel3 x Safety (BSL,10w)
7 x Efficacy (BSL,10w)
Embedded Image
  • *These columns indicate the number of outcomes studied and their categories (eg, 6 × efficacy indicates that six different outcomes related to the efficacy category were studied), with the respective time point(s) when the outcome was determined (parenthesis). The term ‘BSL’ refers to differences concerning the outcomes at BSL. A detailed description of studies and outcomes can be found in supplement.

  • †A green, yellow, red and black circle indicate low, moderate, high and critical risk of bias, respectively. In case multiple circles are depicted, certain outcomes within one study had different risk of bias.

  • BSL, baseline; CTS, carpal tunnel syndrome; n.a., not applicable; PICO, Population, Intervention, Comparator, Outcome; RCT, randomised controlled trial; RoB, Risk of Bias; US, ultrasound.;