title: Reproducibility of Ultrasonographic Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at the Cubital Tunnel.
abstract: The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve is thought to be indicative of ulnar nerve entrapment. The purpose of the study was to determine reproducibility of ultrasonographic measurements of CSA of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel in healthy adults. Two sonographers tested 69 participants using a standardized protocol. The inter-rater reliability intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.63, and the intra-rater reliability intra-class correlation coefficient was 0.85 for sonographer 1 and 0.88 for sonographer 2. The smallest detectable changes were 2.47 and 2.63 mm2(25% and 26% of the mean CSA). The mean difference and 95% limits of agreement for sonographers 1 and 2 were -0.13 (-2.56 to 2.29) and -0.38 (-2.93 to 2.18). Based on the fair to good inter-rater reliability, the excellent intra-rater reliability and the clinical applicable intra-rater agreement, ultrasonography seems to be a valuable tool with which to assess the CSA of the ulnar nerve for diagnostic and evaluative purposes.
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Science, Program in Clinical Health Sciences and Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sport, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Hand Therapy Center Enschede (Handtherapie Nederland), Enschede, The Netherlands. Electronic address: a.fink@xpertclinic.nl.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Fink
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Science, Program in Clinical Health Sciences and Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sport, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Physical Therapy Practice Emmastraat, Enschede, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marlijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Teggeler
authors.affiliation: Stichting Ondernemingen Medische Technologie (SOMT), Amersfoort, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Marc
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Schmitz
authors.affiliation: Institute of Movement Studies, University of Applied Sciences Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jaap
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Janssen
authors.affiliation: Physical Therapy Science, Program in Clinical Health Sciences and Department of Rehabilitation, Nursing Science and Sport, Brain Center Rudolf Magnus, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands; Department of Health Innovation and Technology, Fontys University of Applied Sciences, Eindhoven, The Netherlands; Center for Physical Therapy Research and Innovation in Primary Care, Leidsche Rijn Julius Health Care Centers, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Martijn
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Pisters
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014953:Wrist / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging
keywords: Elbow; Reproducibility; Ulnar nerve; Ultrasonography