title: Ulnar neuropathy caused by a widespread synovial cyst of the elbow joint in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis.
abstract: A 53-year-old man with rheumatoid arthritis presented with radiating pain, numbness, and diminished motor strength in the right hand according to the ulnar nerve functions. Magnetic resonance imaging and peripheral nerve ultrasound revealed a widespread cystic lesion descending from the elbow joint along the ulnar nerve over a length of 8 cm. After relapse under a therapeutic attempt with antirheumatic drugs, neurosurgical exploration was done using peripheral nerve ultrasound. A synovial cyst of the elbow was extirpated as a whole with subsequent anterior synovectomy. The postoperative course was uneventful with gradual recovery of function.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Scholz
authors.affiliation: Department of General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Mortimer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gierthmuehlen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroradiology, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Karl
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Egger
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedics and Traumatology, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Oliver
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Hauschild
authors.affiliation: Department of General Neurosurgery, University of Freiburg Medical School, Freiburg, Germany.
authors.forename: V
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: van Velthoven-Wurster
mesh_terms: D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000150:complications*; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013581:Synovial Cyst / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000209:etiology* / Q000601:surgery; D014463:Ultrasonography