Role of high resolution ultrasound in ulnar nerve neuropathy
- Author:
Radhika Sridharan
;
Lee Yee Ling
;
Low Soo Fin
;
Fazalina Mohd Fadzilah
;
Sharifah Majedah Idrus Alhabshi
;
Suraya Aziz
;
Rajesh Singh
;
Jamari Sapuan
;
Tan Hui Jan
;
Norlinah Mohamed Ibrahim
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Ulnar nerve;
neuropathy;
elbow;
cubital tunnel;
high resolution ultrasonography
- MeSH:
Ulnar Nerve
- From:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
2015;70(3):158-161
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
SUMMARY
Aim: This study was conducted to measure the cross
sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve (UN) in the cubital
tunnel and to evaluate the role of high-resolution
ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy
(UNN).
Materials and Methods This was a cross sectional study with
64 arms from 32 patients (34 neuropathic, 30 nonneuropathic).
Diagnosis was confirmed by nerve conduction
study and electromyography. The ulnar nerves were
evaluated with 15MHz small footprint linear array transducer.
The ulnar nerve CSA was measured at three levels with arm
extended: at medial epicondyle (ME), 5cm proximal and 5cm
distal to ME. Results from the neuropathic and nonneuropathic
arms were compared. Independent T-tests and
Pearson correlation tests were used. P value of less than
0.05 was considered significant.
Results: Mean CSA values for the UN at levels 5cm proximal
to ME, ME and 5cm distal to ME were 0.055, 0.109, 0.045 cm2
respectively in the neuropathic group and 0.049, 0.075, 0.042
cm2 respectively in the non-neuropathic group. The CSA of
the UN at the ME level was significantly larger in the
neuropathic group, with p value of 0.005. However, there was
no statistical difference between the groups at 5cm proximal
and distal to the ME, with p values of 0.10 and 0.35
respectively.
Conclusion: There is significant difference in CSA values of
the UN at ME between the neuropathic and non-neuropathic
groups with mean CSA value above the predetermined
0.10cm2 cut-off point. High-resolution ultrasonography is
therefore useful to diagnose and follow up cases of elbow
UNN.
- Full text:P020150904396153565949.pdf
