The cubital tunnel in ulnar entrapment neuropathy.

Abstract

Anteroposterior radiographs of the fully flexed and slightly externally rotated elbow were obtained in 122 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome (CUTS) and in 33 normal elbows. Medial trochlear lip osteophytes were not found in the studies of normal elbows but were noted in 20% of ulnar nerve entrapment cases. Medial incongruity between the trochlea and the olecranon greater than or equal to 5 mm was found in 29% of CUTS cases and in 6% of normal elbows. The presence of posttraumatic elbow-joint deformities seen on radiographs correlated significantly with the degree of clinical involvement. Depth and area measurements of ulnar nerve compression, performed using a line-art representation of the radiographs, showed a significant (P less than .0001) correlation between decrease in the area of the cubital tunnel and ulnar innervated muscle atrophy. These findings confirm the importance in this syndrome of both osteoarthritis and incongruity of the medial structures of the elbow joint.

A Review of Compressive Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow

“…The presence of osteophytes (eg, osteoarthritis or Paget disease) at the elbow can lead to the development of cubital tunnel syndrome. 20,21 Taniguchi et al 22 showed that calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate crystal deposition disease is associated with cubital tunnel syndrome. In this study, calcification of the collateral ligaments, synovium, and hyaline cartilage of elbow joint was examined.…”

Nerve Compression: Ulnar Nerve of the Elbow

“…can identify post-traumatic malunion, heterotopic bone and arthritis. St John and Palmaz found that radiographs displayed abnormalities in 20-29 % of patients with cubital tunnel (versus 6 % in the control group) [ 54 ]. Imaging studies should be ordered on an individual basis for patients that display risk factors identifi ed by history and physical examination.…”

Les syndromes canalaires autour du coude et de l'avant-bras. Partie 1: nerf ulnaire

“…4). De telles anomalies sont présentes chez 20 % des patients présentant une souffrance ulnaire au coude et généralement non retrouvées dans la population normale [61].…”