Radial nerve compression: anatomical perspective and clinical consequences

Abstract

The radial nerve is the biggest branch of the posterior cord of the brachial plexus and one of its five terminal branches. Entrapment of the radial nerve at the elbow is the third most common compressive neuropathy of the upper limb after carpal tunnel and cubital tunnel syndromes. Because the incidence is relatively low and many agents can compress it along its whole course, entrapment of the radial nerve or its branches can pose a considerable clinical challenge. Several of these agents are related to normal or variant anatomy. The most common of the compressive neuropathies related to the radial nerve is the posterior interosseus nerve syndrome. Appropriate treatment requires familiarity with the anatomical traits influencing the presenting symptoms and the related prognoses. The aim of this study is to describe the compressive neuropathies of the radial nerve, emphasizing the anatomical perspective and highlighting the traps awaiting physicians evaluating these entrapments.

Examining the Forearm Intersection through Palpation and Ultrasonography

“…Likewise, scleroderma is highly unlikely because only one side is affected, there is no Raynaud’s phenomenon, and there are no nail fold vascular changes. FIS must be distinguished from other conditions, including de Quervain’s tenosynovitis [ 24 ], superficial sensory radial nerve neuropathy due to nerve damage or external pressure (Wartenberg syndrome) [ 25 , 26 , 27 ], osteoarthritis of the first carpometacarpal joint, and intersection syndrome at the wrist [ 3 , 13 , 14 , 25 , 27 , 28 , 29 ]. Table 2 summarizes the overlapping features and differences between these conditions.…”

Seltene Nervenkompressionssyndrome

“…B. auch bei intensivem Hanteltraining auftreten. Berichtet wird auch über eine entsprechende Symptomatik bei Geigenspielern 17 18 19 .…”

“…B. auch bei intensivem Hanteltraining auftreten. Berichtet wird auch über eine entsprechende Symptomatik bei Geigenspielern[17][18][19].Symptome und DiagnostikDie Symptomatik betrifft ausschließlich die Motorik mit einer langsam fortschreitenden Parese bis Plegie der Fingerextension, beginnend am Kleinfinger und seltener einer Parese der Handgelenkextension und Deviation zur Radialseite. Der Verlauf des N. radialis und seine Teilungsstelle kann sehr gut mit dem hochauflösenden Ultraschall dargestellt werden.…”

A bilateral four-headed brachialis muscle with variant innervation: a cadaveric report with possible clinical implications

“…In the current case, the RN was identi ed in a muscular tunnel that was formatted between the BM accessory lateral heads and the BRM. This tunnel could be a potential site of compression for the RN, the so-called "high RN entrapment" due to its location above the cubital fossa [24]. Due to anatomical variants, pinpointing the exact location of vital nerves within these muscle compartments can be challenging, further complicating the surgical procedure [5].…”