Nerve compression syndromes can be caused by compression of the peripheral nerve from interior or exterior of the nerve. In the upper extremities, brachial plexus, ulnar nerve and median nerve can be compressed in thoracic outlet syndrome, cubital tunnel syndrome and carpal tunnel syndrome respectively. Because these syndromes are caused by compression, decompressive management can be expected to be the principle of treatment. From Jan. 1980 to Dec. 1988, 94 patients were admitted and treated for nerve compression syndromes of the upper extremities in Seoul National University Hospital. Among these, 52 patients suffered from carpal tunnel syndrome and operation was performed to 86 hands. Twelve patients suffered from thoracic outlet syndrome and 25 from cubital tunnel syndrome. Ten patients were treated with conservative method and 84 with decompressive surgery. Satisfactory results were obtained in 92.3% of carpal tunnel syndrome and 84% of cubital tunnel syndrome. Of 4 operated cases of thoracic outlet syndrome, 3 cases were satisfactory.
Brachial Plexus ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Hand ; Humans ; Median Nerve ; Methods ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Peripheral Nerves ; Seoul ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome ; Ulnar Nerve ; Upper Extremity

Cubital tunnel syndrome is compressive neuropathy, entrapment of the ulnar nerve around the medial epicondyle of the elbow joint, and the second most common neuropathy after carpal tunnel syndrome. Patients complain of hypoesthesia or paresthesia in the ulnar half of the ring and small fingers early in the disease. Advanced disease is complicated by irreversible muscle weakness or atrophy and claw hand deformity of the ring and small fingers. Although traditional decompression and anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is known as standard treatment, according to recent reports only simple decompression has a good outcome. So, variety of surgical treatment options are available. In this paper, we purpose to describe the causes, clinical features and recent surgical treatments of cubital tunnel syndrome.
Animals ; Atrophy ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome* ; Decompression ; Elbow Joint ; Fingers ; Hand Deformities ; Hoof and Claw ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Muscle Weakness ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Paresthesia ; Ulnar Nerve

Thoracic outlet syndrome is caused by the compression of neurovascular structures at the thoracic outlet region. Diagnosis is difficult since thoracic outlet syndrome is often accompanied by distal entrapment neuropathies such as carpal tunnel syndrome or ulnar and radial neuropathies. In this article, the authors report a case regarding a patient with thoracic outlet syndrome whose diagnosis was delayed due to the overlapping of multiple distal entrapment neuropathies.
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Humans ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Radial Neuropathy ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Local compression of the ulnar nerve occurs most commonly at the elbow and optimal surgical intervention should be directed at the specific site of involvement. This study is designed to localize the more discrete region by using the method of short segment stimulation in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. METHODS: Thirty seven patients who were diagnosed as entrapment ulnar neuropathy at the elbow by routine nerve conduction studies were investigated. Latency changes and amplitude changes including conduction block were determined by stimulating the ulnar nerve at 2cm intervals across the elbow. Six of these patients had orthopedic surgery after undergoing short segment stimulation studies. RESULT: All patients had significant latency changes(> OR =0.7msec) in specific segments by short segment stimulation and 6 patients of them showed conduction block. The most frequently involved segments were between medial epicondyle and 2cm proximal(20 patients) and between medial epicondyle and 2cm distal(9 patients). Only two patients exhibited significant latency changes between 2 and 4cm distal to the medial epicondyle, suggesting cubital tunnel syndrome. Lesions, as identified by surgery, proved to be accurately predicted by preoperative short segment stimulation in 5 of 6 patients. CONCLUSION: Short segment stimulation studies are helpful in localizing more accurate involved segment in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. And the most commonly involved site is within 2cm of the medial epicondyle suggesting tardy ulnar nerve palsy.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Elbow* ; Humans ; Neural Conduction ; Orthopedics ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Ulnar Neuropathies*

Heterotopic bone formation occurs in approximately 2% of severe burn cases. It occurs most frequently around the elbow. It is not related to the burn location, rather it is related to degree of burns and length of confinement. Although bony encasement of the ulnar nerve is frequently found, ulnar nerve compression by postburn ectopic ossification is very rare. Early anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is recommened to prevent progressive neurologic loss. We report a case of cubital tunnel syndrome by postburn ectopic ossification with brief review of pertinent literature.
Burns ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome* ; Elbow ; Ossification, Heterotopic* ; Osteogenesis ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

Entrapment of the ulnar nerve around the elbow is the second most common compression neuropathy in the upper extremity. Many anatomical regions that possibly compress the ulnar nerve around the elbow joint have been described, however few cases below the flexor carpi ulnaris muscle have been reported. A case with ulnar nerve entrapment at the flexor pronator aponeurosis, secondary to surgery is reported in this study.
Cubital Tunnel Syndrome* ; Elbow ; Elbow Joint ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Upper Extremity

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve entrapment syndrome affecting the upper extremity. Surgical treatment is indicated for those who have motor weakness or when conservative measures have failed. Several different surgical techniques have been introduced, however, the optimal treatment for cubital tunnel syndrome is still under debate. In the recent years, well-performed prospective randomized studies show that there is no difference in outcome among various surgical techniques regardless of the severity and presence of subluxation. It is advised that in situ decompression is the preferred technique because it is simpler and less time consuming procedure. Although in situ decompression is effective in uncomplicated ulnar nerve subluxation, anterior transposition should be considered when the subluxation is painful or when the ulnar nerve actually snaps back and forth over the medial epicondyle. Anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve is still indicated for revision surgery, previous trauma around the elbow, distal humerus fractures, severe osteoarthritis needing medial spur excision, and severe valgus deformity of the elbow.
Congenital Abnormalities ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Decompression ; Elbow ; Humerus ; Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Osteoarthritis ; Ulnar Nerve ; Upper Extremity

Guyons canal syndrome is an uncommon disease characterized by ulnar nerve compression symptoms within Cuyon s canal. The symptoms vary with the level of compression, and the cause of compression may be extrinsic or intrinsic. We have had experience with a case of the syndrome that was caused by a ganglion in the canal.
Ganglion Cysts ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes

Ulnar nerve compression in the cubital tunnel is a common entrapment syndrome of the upper limb. Pulsed radiofrequency lesioning (PRFL) has been reported as a treatment method for relieving neuropathic pain. Since the placement of the electrode in close proximity to a targeted nerve is very important for the success of PRFL, ultrasound seems to be well suited for this technique. A 36-year-old woman presented with complaints of numbness and pain on the medial aspect of the elbow and the pain radiated down to the 4th and 5th fingers for 10 years after she suffered an elbow contusion, we then scheduled this woman for the ultrasound guided PRFL of the ulanr nerve. The initial ultrasound examination demonstrated a swollen nerve, loss of the fascicular pattern and an increased cross sectional area of the ulnar nerve. After confirmation of the most swollen site of the nerve via ultrasound, two sessions of PRFL were performed. The postprocedural 10 cm visual analog scale score decreased from 8 to 1 after the two sessions of PRFL.
Adult ; Contusions ; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome ; Elbow ; Electrodes ; Female ; Fingers ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Neuralgia ; Ulnar Nerve ; Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes ; Upper Extremity

Open release remains the gold standard in the treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome in cases where conservative treatment fails. However, the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly has been debated in the literature throughout the years. This review aims to review the current evidence pertaining to the efficacy of carpal tunnel release in the elderly. Based on the current evidence, the outcome of carpal tunnel release is unpredictable in the elderly. Elderly patients are also less satisfied with the operation compared to younger patients. The authors recommend that these messages be conveyed to elderly patients before surgery. Moreover, open carpal tunnel release should be offered in the early stages of treatment whenever operative management is indicated.
Aged* ; Aging* ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome ; Humans ; Nerve Compression Syndromes