A study on the prevalence of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle by magnetic resonance imaging

Abstract

ObjectiveTo analyze magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the elbow area to quantify the presence of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle.MethodsA total of 232 exams were analyzed; 218 were included, of which 141 were of men and 77, women.ResultsPresence of the muscle was observed in 29 cases (13.3%), demonstrating that the presence of this muscle on images does not have a statistical correlation with the gender or age of the individual.ConclusionThe prevalence of the anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is variable, without a pattern of normality.

Variant of the Anconeus Epitrochlearis Muscle: A Case Report

“…He found the muscle in 26 males and eight females and that it was bilateral in 15 males and four females [ 6 ]. Furthermore, a study done by Nascimento and Ruiz [ 1 ] found 29% of individuals have this muscle variation, and it was not associated with age or sex.…”

“…The presence of this muscle has clinical relevance in relation to the cubital tunnel syndrome. Some speculate it may be a cause of cubital tunnel syndrome, and others have suggested it is actually protective for the ulnar nerve [ 1 ]. Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common cause of ulnar nerve entrapment in the upper extremity.…”

“…The anconeus epitrochlearis muscle is seen in many animal species including: reptiles, amphibians, and mammals [ 1 ]. In humans, the muscle is a variant.…”

“…The anconeus epitrochlearis is also termed the anconeus internus, anconeus parvus, epitrochleo-olecranonis, and epitrochleocubital muscle [ 2 , 3 ]. Its origin is from the medial epicondyle of the humerus and its insertion is onto the olecranon of the ulna [ 1 ]. The anconeus epitrochlearis is often thought of as an extension of the triceps brachii, but some have considered it a variant of the flexor carpi ulnaris because it courses over the groove for the ulnar nerve [ 4 ] and is innervated by the ulnar nerve [ 5 ].…”

Imaging Features of Soft Tissue Tumor Mimickers: A Pictorial Essay

“…58 For instance, the anconeus epitrochlearis is an accessory muscle at the medial epicondyle of the humerus at the cubital tunnel and can cause ulnar nerve compression and neuropathy in 15% of cases. 59 Other common accessory muscles include the extensor digitorum brevis manus on the dorsum of the hand, the accessory soleus in the posterior ankle (►Fig. 25), and the peroneus tertius and quartus in the lateral ankle.…”