The electrophysiological features for localizing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow / 西安交通大学学报(医学版)

ABSTRACT

Objective To explore the diagnostic values of electrophysiological studies in localizing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.Methods Totally 21 patients suspected with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow clinically underwent routine electrodiagnostic tests for the confirmative diagnosis,and contrasted with 30 healthy subjects.Routine electrodiagnostic tests included ulnar motor nerve conduction,ulnar sensory nerve conduction from digit 5 to wrist,ulnar innervated muscle electromyography,and a special test short-segment nerve conduction study.In order to localize ulnar neuropathy at the elbow,special attention was focused on ulnar motor nerve conduction across the elbow using short-segment nerve conduction study.Results ① Nineteen patients were found ulnar motor nerve conduction slowing across the elbow.② Short-segment ulnar nerve conduction studies showed that most of the lesions were located above or below the medial epicondyle 2-3 cm.③ Abnormal flexor carpi ulnaris muscle electromyography was not found involved in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.Conclusion Short-segment nerve conduction studies have a high diagnostic value in identifying the site of lesion in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow,and abnormal ulnar digit 5 to wrist sensory nerve conduction and abnormal electromyography finding may aid in diagnosis.