Vibrotactilometry as a diagnostic tool in ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow.
Vibrotactilometry with testing of the thresholds of the vibration sense at seven frequencies between 8-500 Hz in different intensities has been correlated with nerve conduction studies of the ulnar nerve to evaluate its diagnostic power in neuropathies at the elbow. Thirty-nine patients with entrapment symptoms were studied. Vibrotactilometry was abnormal in 33 patients (85%) and nerve conduction studies were abnormal in 19 (49%). The sensitivity of vibrotactilometry in relation to nerve conduction studies was 89%, and in relation to the patients' symptoms was 85%. We conclude that vibrotactilometry is a sensitive test that correlates well with the patients' symptoms, while nerve conduction studies are less sensitive (49%) in relation to the patients' symptoms. Vibrotactilometry in the frequency area of 8-500 Hz is recommended in the screening of ulnar nerve entrapment. Nerve conduction studies are recommended in clinically doubtful cases to localise the entrapment to the elbow region.
Ellemann
K
K
Department of Neurology, County Hospital of Vejle, Denmark.
Nielsen
K D
KD
Poulsgaard
L
L
Smith
T
T
D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D012684:Sensory Thresholds; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014732:Vibration