title: Diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonographic and nerve conduction studies in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To report diagnostic accuracy of ultrasonography (US) and compare it to standard 10-cm nerve conduction studies (NCSs), and short-segment NCSs (SSNCSs) across the elbow in the diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).
  
  
  METHODS
  In a broad spectrum of consecutive patients with suspected UNE a prospective and blinded study was performed. This included a clinical examination, electrodiagnostic (EDx) and US studies. In clinically definite UNE patients we compared the sensitivity of SSNCSs, of 10-cm NCSs across the elbow, and of US. The specificity was calculated in asymptomatic controls.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We studied 113 affected arms in 109 patients; definite UNE was diagnosed in 81, and alternative conditions in 12 arms. The sensitivity of SSNCSs was 89%, of 10-cm NCSs 83%, and of US 71%. We found the highest sensitivity of US in patients with axonal UNE (93%), followed by conduction slowing (82%) and conduction block (55%). Specificity of SSNCSs was 80%, of 10-cm NCSs 82%, and of US 82%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study found the highest diagnostic accuracy of SSNCSs (85%), followed by 10-cm NCSs (83%), and of US (77%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US is particularly useful in patients with axonal UNE, while SSNCSs in UNE with conduction block.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Gregor
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Omejec
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia.
authors.forename: Tomaž
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Žgur
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Neurophysiology, Division of Neurology, University Medical Center Ljubljana, Slovenia. Electronic address: simon.podnar@kclj.si.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Podnar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology; D004568:Electrodiagnosis / Q000592:standards*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D020424:Ulnar Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional / Q000592:standards*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Diagnostic test assessment; Electromyography; Peripheral neuropathy; Ultrasound