title: Corticosteroid injection in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to evaluate the effect of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).
  
  
  METHODS
  Fifty-five patients were randomized between an ultrasound-guided injection of 1 ml containing 40 mg methylprednisolone acetate and 10 mg lidocaine hydrochloride or a placebo injection. The primary outcome was the subjective change of symptoms after 3 months. The secondary outcomes were change in electrodiagnostic studies and ultrasonography findings.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A success rate of 30% was found in the corticosteroid injection group versus 28% in the placebo injection group. Only the nerve cross-sectional area changed significantly in the intervention group, from a mean of 11.9 mm(2) to 10.9 mm(2) .
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We could not demonstrate a positive effect of ultrasound-guided corticosteroid injection in UNE compared with placebo. Favorable outcomes may be attributed to the natural course of UNE or the effect of patient education.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kiril E B
authors.initials: KE
authors.lastname: vanVeen
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Kees C L
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Alblas
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Imanda M E
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Alons
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Joost P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Kerklaan
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marry C
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Siegersma
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medical Center Haaglanden, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Michel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wesstein
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.|Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, St. Elisabeth Hospital, Tilburg, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Leo H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Visser
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Medical Center Haaglanden, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Viviane
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Vankasteel
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Medical Center Haaglanden, Postbus 432, 2501, CK, The Hague, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Korné
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Jellema
mesh_terms: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy*; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004550:Elbow; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007267:Injections; D008012:Lidocaine; D008297:Male; D008775:Methylprednisolone / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D000305:Adrenal Cortex Hormones; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000893:Anti-Inflammatory Agents; D000077555:Methylprednisolone Acetate; D008012:Lidocaine; D008775:Methylprednisolone
keywords: corticosteroid; injection; neuropathy; ulnar; ultrasonography