The Utility of 6 cm Segmental NCS in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To verify the efficacy of 6cm segmental nerve conduction study in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE). METHOD: Ulnar nerve conduction studies were performed unilaterally in twenty five asymptomatic healthy adult volunteers and twenty five symptomatic patients with UNE. Twenty five symptomatic patients with UNE were diagnosed by standard ulnar nerve conduction studies, and needle EMG study. In the same healthy controls and patients groups, 6 cm and 10 cm segmental study were then performed at the elbow. The sensitivity and specificity of 6 cm segmental study were compared with those of 10 cm segmental study in these patients. RESULTS: The sensitivity and specificity came out to be 76% and 92% for the 6 cm segmental study and, 52% and 96% for the 10 cm segmental study. CONCLUSION: The sensitivity of 6 cm segmental NCS was much higher compared with 10 cm segmental NCS, whereas the specificity was similar in both tests. For screening of the UNE, 6 cm segmental NCS seems to be a more efficacious test.