Ulnar nerve and cubital tunnel ultrasound in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the accuracy of the ultrasonographic measurement of ulnar nerve to cubital tunnel area for diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.


METHODS
Patients with confirmed ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and normative, healthy volunteers were evaluated with high-resolution ultrasound. The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of the ulnar nerve and cubital tunnel were measured with the elbow extended and flexed, and results from the 2 groups were compared.


METHODS
Electromyography laboratory and radiology department of a tertiary care center.


METHODS
Twenty-seven patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and 20 controls.


METHODS
Not applicable.


METHODS
The ratio of ulnar nerve to cubital tunnel CSA with the elbow flexed.


RESULTS
The ulnar nerve, with the elbow flexed, was larger in those with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, and this group also had larger cubital tunnels than did controls. In those with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow, the ratio of the ulnar nerve to cubital tunnel was .31, and in the controls it was .32, which was not significantly different (P=.89).


CONCLUSIONS
The ratio of ulnar nerve to cubital tunnel did not differentiate those with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow from controls.
Yoon
Joon Shik
JS
Department of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine, Korea University Guro Hospital, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
Hong
Suk-Joo
SJ
Kim
Byung-Jo
BJ
Kim
Sei Joo
SJ
Kim
Jae Min
JM
Walker
Francis O
FO
Cartwright
Michael S
MS
D016022:Case-Control Studies; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography