Use of ultrasonography in ulnar nerve entrapment surgery—a prospective study

• Published in: Neurosurgical review 2009-04, Vol.32 (2), p.225-232
• Main Authors: Kutlay, Murat, Çolak, Ahmet, Şimşek, Hakan, Öztürk, Ersin, Şenol, Mehmet Güney, Topuz, Kıvanç, Demircan, Mehmet Nusret
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; Elbow - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Male; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Middle Aged; Neurosurgery; Original Article; Prospective Studies; Range of Motion, Articular; Sensitivity and Specificity; Ulnar Nerve - diagnostic imaging; Ulnar Nerve - physiopathology; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes - diagnostic imaging; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes - physiopathology; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes - surgery; Ultrasonography - standards; Young Adult
• ISSN: 0344-5607; 1437-2320
• DOI: 10.1007/s10143-008-0162-4

The purpose of our study is to assess the usefulness of high-resolution ultrasonography in observing the morphology and dynamics of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel and also the efficacy of ultrasonography in a more accurate diagnosis and appropriate surgical treatment decision. Cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerves of 40 healthy volunteers in the control group were measured bilaterally at the level of the epicondyle, 2 cm proximal to and 2 cm distal to the epicondyle. Measurements were obtained for elbows both in extension and flexion. Then, we prospectively obtained the cross-sectional area values of 18 patients at the same levels, elbows in extension and flexion position, and compared the data obtained from the patient group and the control group. The differences between the cross-sectional areas of the ulnar nerves in extension and flexion were statistically significant in the patient population ( p