Nerve entrapment syndromes: detection by ultrasound

Abstract

Nerve entrapment syndromes are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Accurate diagnosis and management require knowledge of peripheral neuroanatomy and recognition of key clinical symptoms and findings.Nerve entrapment syndromes are frequently associated with structural abnormalities of the affected nerve. Therefore, imaging allows for the evaluation of the cause, severity, and etiology of the entrapment. High resolution ultrasonography can depict early and chronic morphological changes within the entire nerve course and is therefore an ideal modality for the diagnosis of various nerve entrapment syndromes at different regions. This review article presents some of the most common nerve entrapments, with special focus on ultrasound imaging and key findings.

Ultrasound of the Ulnar Nerve: A Pictorial Review

“…32 Other conditions that determine elbow joint damage, such as rheumatoid arthritis and chondrocalcinosis, may be related to UN pathology, as well as ganglion cysts arising from the ulno-humeral joint. 33 In elbow trauma, fractures can be associated with UN neuropathy, 34 and symptoms may be delayed, for example, related to osseous reorganization or due to inflammation of the cubital tunnel. 35 Injuries involving the pbUCL, forming the floor of the cubital tunnel, particularly avulsion fractures, may give rise to UN pathology (Figure 14).…”

“…Osteoarthritis of the elbow can lead to synovitis and osteophyte formation at the level of the ulnar groove which may predispose to UN neuropathy (Figure 12), or, more rarely, osteophytes or loose bodies may directly compress the nerve (Figure 13). 32 Other conditions that determine elbow joint damage, such as rheumatoid arthritis and chondrocalcinosis, may be related to UN pathology, as well as ganglion cysts arising from the ulno‐humeral joint 33 …”

The Unpredictable Ulnar Nerve—Ulnar Nerve Entrapment from Anatomical, Pathophysiological, and Biopsychosocial Aspects

“…An MRI examination must be carried out in detail based on the clinical examination, focusing on the exact site of the suspected affection. Ultrasound is nowadays often recommended, and its value increases with the development of the technique, resolution, and competence of the examiner to map out nerve affection at different anatomical sites [ 104 , 111 , 112 , 113 , 114 , 115 , 116 , 117 ] ( Table 2 ).…”