title: Increased nerve vascularization detected by color Doppler sonography in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow indicates axonal damage.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to establish the prevalence of increased intraneural vascularization detected by ultrasonography (IVUS) in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) and to determine its relationship to clinical, ultrasonographic, and electrodiagnostic findings.
  
  
  METHODS
  High-resolution ultrasonography and color Doppler imaging were performed in 137 patients with confirmed UNE, 24 patient controls, and 70 healthy controls (HCs).
  
  
  RESULTS
  IVUS was found in 21 (15%) of 137 patients with UNE, in 1 (4%) of 24 patient controls, and in 0 of 70 HCs (P = 0.001). Patients with IVUS were more likely to have severe weakness (P = 0.01), severe atrophy of ulnar-innervated muscles (P = 0.008), axonal damage (P = 0.001), and more pronounced nerve enlargement (P = 0.03) than those without IVUS.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  IVUS in the ulnar nerve can be detected in patients with UNE and is associated with nerve enlargement and clinical and electrodiagnostic severity. In addition, IVUS is associated with axonal damage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, P.O. Box 90151, 5000 LC Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Daphne W
authors.initials: DW
authors.lastname: Frijlink
authors.forename: Geert J F
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: Brekelmans
authors.forename: Leo H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Visser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001369:Axons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D018615:Ultrasonography, Doppler, Color