ABSTRACT
SUMMARY Aim: This study was conducted to measure the cross sectional area (CSA) of the ulnar nerve (UN) in the cubital tunnel and to evaluate the role of high-resolution ultrasonography in the diagnosis of ulnar nerve neuropathy (UNN). Materials and Methods This was a cross sectional study with 64 arms from 32 patients (34 neuropathic, 30 nonneuropathic). Diagnosis was confirmed by nerve conduction study and electromyography. The ulnar nerves were evaluated with 15MHz small footprint linear array transducer. The ulnar nerve CSA was measured at three levels with arm extended: at medial epicondyle (ME), 5cm proximal and 5cm distal to ME. Results from the neuropathic and nonneuropathic arms were compared. Independent T-tests and Pearson correlation tests were used. P value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean CSA values for the UN at levels 5cm proximal to ME, ME and 5cm distal to ME were 0.055, 0.109, 0.045 cm2 respectively in the neuropathic group and 0.049, 0.075, 0.042 cm2 respectively in the non-neuropathic group. The CSA of the UN at the ME level was significantly larger in the neuropathic group, with p value of 0.005. However, there was no statistical difference between the groups at 5cm proximal and distal to the ME, with p values of 0.10 and 0.35 respectively. Conclusion: There is significant difference in CSA values of the UN at ME between the neuropathic and non-neuropathic groups with mean CSA value above the predetermined 0.10cm2 cut-off point. High-resolution ultrasonography is therefore useful to diagnose and follow up cases of elbow UNN.
Subject(s)
Ulnar NerveABSTRACT
Regular aerobic exercise has been shown to improve endothelial function and reduce oxidative stress in hypertensive patients. However, the information regarding the amount of exercise that is needed to produce this adaptation is scarce. Thirteen women [35 to 60 years of age] with elevated systolic blood pressure [SBP] were recruited. Six women underwent four weeks aerobic exercise [EG] three times per week at 50% heart rate reserve [HRR] for 30 minutes per session, which was then increased to 70% HRR for 45 minutes per session for another four weeks. Seven women served as control group [CG]. Flow mediated dilation [FMD] and plasma von Willebrand Factor [vWF] were measured of oxidative DNA damage. Baseline measurements were repeated at four and eight weeks. ANOVA repeated measures via SPSS version 15 was used for data analysis and the level of P<0.05 was considered as statistically significant. At baseline, there were insignificant differences in all parameters between the groups: age [EG=48.17 +/- 6.21 vs. CG= 50.00 +/- 8.29 years, P=0.84], resting SBP [EG=136.00 +/- 7.69 vs. GC=133.57 +/- 9.81 mmHg, P=0.73], FMD [EG=2.10 +/- 3.11 vs. CG-2.01 +/- 5.50%, P=0.73], plasma vWF [EG=51.72 +/- 28.60 vs. CG= 49.68 +/- 30.48%, P=0.84] and urine 8- OHdG [EG=6.58 +/- 2.26 vs. CG= 7.85 +/- 2.50 ng/mg creatinine, P=0.34]. After intervention, significant reduction was found for plasma vWF [EG=41.12 +/- 22.65 vs. CG=56.70 +/- 22.35%, P<0.05] and urine 8-OHdG [EG=4.33 +/- 0.79 vs. CG=7.02 +/- 1.73 ng/mg creatinine, P< 0.05]. Two months aerobic training using the prescribed exercise regime increased endothelial function and reduced oxidative DNA damage in women with elevated SBP