title: Demyelinating focal motor neuropathy of the ulnar nerve masquerading as compression in Guyon's canal: a case report.
abstract: Ulnar nerve-innervated intrinsic muscle weakness, in the absence of sensory complaints or deficits, usually is the result of compression at the ulnar nerve in zone II of Guyon's canal. In rare instances the problem is not caused by a compressive neuropathy but by a demyelinating focal motor neuropathy. Demyelinating neuropathies have been well documented in the neurologic literature but they have received little attention in the hand surgery literature. We report on one such case and the importance of differentiating the 2 neuropathies. Although surgery often is necessary for a compressive neuropathy it is contraindicated for a demyelinating neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Hand and Neurology Services, New York University-Hospital for Joint Diseases Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, New York, NY, USA.
authors.forename: Manjit S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Dhillon
authors.forename: Mary Lynn
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Chu
authors.forename: Martin A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Posner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003711:Demyelinating Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D011247:Pregnancy; D011248:Pregnancy Complications / Q000503:physiopathology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis*; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology