Diagnosis and Treatment of Posterior Interosseous Nerve Entrapment: Systematic Review

Abstract

Compressive syndromes of the radial nerve have different presentations. There is no consensus on diagnostic and therapeutic methods. The aim of this review is to summarize such methods. Eletronic searches related terms, held in databases (1980-2016): Pubmed (via Medline), Lilacs (via Scielo) and Google Scholar. Through pre-defined protocol, we identified relevant studies. We excluded case reports. Aspects of diagnosis and treatment were synthesized for analysis and tables. Quantitative analyzes were followed by their dispersion variables. Fourteen studies were included. All studies were considered as level IV evidence. Most studies consider aspects of clinical history and provocative maneuvers. There is no consensus on the use of electromyography, and methods are heterogeneous. Studies have shown that surgical treatment (muscle release and neurolysis) has variable success rate, ranging from 20 to 96.5%. Some studies applied self reported scores, though the heterogeneity of the population does not allow inferential analyzes on the subject. few complications reported. Most studies consider the diagnosis of compressive radial nerve syndromes essentially clinical. The most common treatment was combined muscle release and neurolysis, with heterogeneous results. There is a need for comparative studies. Level of Evidence III, Systematic Review.

Most Frequent Compressive Limb Neuropathies: A Literature Review

“…The most common compression syndromes are distal to the elbow. 3 The methods to diagnose these lesions are based on clinical criteria, but they can also include imaging methods and electroneurophysiological studies. 2 The diagnostic methods used for compressive neuropathies range from clinical examination and anamnesis through semiological tests, such as the Tinel test (percussion over the region of the median nerve, which results in dysesthesia) and the Phalen test (the symptoms are triggered by complete palmar flexion of the wrists for 30 to 60 seconds, causing a characteristic pain) performed in carpal tunnel syndrome.…”