Ulnar nerve palsy associated with fracture of the distal radius

OBJECTIVE: To describe the clinical features and outcome of a series of patients with complete motor and sensory ulnar nerve palsy associated with a fracture of the distal radius. DESIGN: Retrospective case series. SETTING: Level 1 trauma center. PATIENTS/PARTICIPANTS: Five adults with acute complete motor and sensory ulnar nerve palsy associated with fracture of the distal radius were treated during a 2 year period. There were 3 men and 2 women, with an average age of 42 years (range, 33 to 56 years). All 5 distal radius fractures were high energy and widely displaced. Three patients had an associated ulna fracture (2 styloid, 1 styloid and distal diaphysis), and 1 had a complete triangular fibrocartilage complex (TFCC) avulsion from the distal ulna (associated with an open wound). Two patients had open fractures. INTERVENTION: Open reduction and internal fixation of the distal radius fracture in 4 patients and external fixation in 1 patient. Three patients had exploration and release of the ulnar nerve because it was associated with an acute carpal tunnel syndrome. MAIN OUTCOME MEASUREMENTS: Recovery of ulnar nerve function. RESULTS: At an average follow-up of 17 months, 4 patients had complete or near-complete recovery of ulnar nerve function. One patient had moderate motor and mild sensory dysfunction. CONCLUSIONS: Acute ulnar nerve palsy may occur in association with high-energy, widely displaced fractures of the distal radius. These are usually neurapraxic injuries that recover to normal or near-normal strength and sensation. We recommend exploration and release of a complete ulnar nerve palsy associated with a fracture of the distal radius fracture when there is an open wound or an acute carpal tunnel syndrome, and observation without exploration otherwise.     

肘管综合征的解剖和病因学探讨

[目的]探讨肘管综合征的解剖特点和发病原因。[方法]对65例肘管综合征患者的临床资料和术中所见,以及其中25例患者术前肌电图检查的结果进行综合研究分析。[结果]术中见60例患者存在肘管弓状韧带的肥厚增生,卡压磨损尺神经导致炎性病变;术前肌电图检查发现25例患者的尺神经传导速度均减慢,平均传导速度为27.97m/s;运动反应波幅降低,平均电压为1.95mv;潜伏期延长,平均时间为5.41ms;65例肘管综合征患者,继发于肘部创伤25例,慢性劳损15例,慢性骨关节炎14例,占位病变5例,先天异常有6例。[结论]肘部的创伤及慢性劳损可以导致肘管弓状韧带出现肥厚增生,引起尺神经卡压磨损,这是肘管综合征最常见的病因;其他病因还包括慢性骨关节炎,占位病变和先天异常;尺神经可被机械性卡压和磨损,出现慢性缺血缺氧,导致肘管综合征的发生;详细的体格检查和术前的肌电图检查是诊断肘管综合征的主要手段,在诊断时应注意该病与其他部位迟发性尺神经麻痹的鉴别。     

Nerve palsies related to pediatric upper extremity fractures

In every child who has a fracture, neurologic examination is essential at initial assessment so that early diagnosis of nerve injury can be made. Electrodiagnostic studies may be helpful in diagnosis when the examination is equivocal and in follow-up to look for signs of recovery. In a patient who has neurologic deficits associated with a fracture, nerve exploration should be considered for open fractures, fractures that require open reduction, and palsies that develop after fracture reduction. For closed fractures associated with nerve palsy at the time of initial injury, observation and serial examination after reduction is recommended. If there is no return of nerve function on examination or electrodiagnostic testing by 4 months, operative exploration is indicated.     

Secondary ulnar nerve palsy in adults after elbow trauma: a report of two cases

Secondary ulnar nerve palsy, an unusual condition in which the onset of ulnar nerve dysfunction occurs 1 to 3 months after elbow trauma, can be the cause of sudden deterioration of elbow function. Initially recognized in 1899, this condition has not been reported often. We describe 2 patients who had no subjective or objective evidence of ulnar nerve dysfunction after elbow trauma but had a sudden loss of motion, pain, and clinical and electrophysiologic evidence of ulnar nerve compression at the elbow 4 to 5 weeks after trauma. Marked improvement occurred after ulnar nerve subcutaneous transposition and contracture release.     

Diagnostic ultrasonography of the ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel syndrome

Thirty-two elbows in 31 patients diagnosed as having cubital tunnel syndrome underwent ultrasonographic examination to assess morphological changes in the ulnar nerve and its surrounding tissues. On longitudinal images, the site of constriction due to the fibrous band and proximal swelling of the nerve were observed by ultrasonography and were confirmed intraoperatively. On axial images, the lengths of the major axis [7.2 (SD 1.6) mm] and the minor axis [3.7 (0.9) mm] of the nerve at the medial epicondyle were greater than those in normal subjects. There was a correlation between the stage of ulnar nerve palsy and the diameter of the major axis. Preoperatively, ganglia were detected by ultrasonography in the cubital tunnel in three cases and an anconeus epitrochlearis muscle in two.     

Proximal ulnar nerve compression. Cubital tunnel syndrome.

Ulnar nerve compression about the elbow is common. If diagnosed and treated early, satisfactory results can be expected. Severe chronic nerve compression may lead to permanent nerve damage. The diagnosis can be made by careful history, physical examination, knowledge of the nerve anatomy, and sometimes electrodiagnosis. Cubital tunnel syndrome must be differentiated from TOS and ulnar tunnel syndrome. Double-crush syndrome should be ruled out. Nonoperative treatment must be attempted first, whereas surgical treatment is indicated in severe and chronic cases. Satisfactory results can be achieved after surgery if nerve damage is absent and careful attention to technical details and gentle handling of the nerve are exercised.     

Ganglion-associated ulnar tunnel syndrome treated by ultrasonographically assisted aspiration and splinting

We describe a case of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist due to a ganglion. This was treated by aspiration of the ganglion under ultrasonography and splinting because the patient was pregnant. The ulnar nerve palsy resolved completely and the ganglion disappeared. A follow-up ultrasonographic examination after 2 years showed no recurrence of the ganglion.     

高分辨率超声检测尺神经直径在肘管综合征中的应用

目的：评价高分辨率超声在肘管综合征诊断及预后中的价值。方法：自2018年1月至2019年6月,采用尺神经松解并皮下前置术的方法治疗47例肘管综合征患者。男41例,女6例;年龄27~73岁;右侧31例,左侧15例,双侧1例。术前、术后应用高分辨率超声检测尺神经直径,术中直观下进行测量,以尺神经功能评定试行标准评估患者恢复状态,并调查患者满意度。结果：47例患者术后切口均为Ⅰ级愈合并全部获得随访,于出院后12个月进行随访。术前尺神经受压部位的直径（0.16±0.04） cm,术后为（0.23±0.04） cm。尺神经功能评定结果：优16例,良18例,可13例。术后12个月满意度结果：满意28例,一般10例,不满意9例。结论：高分辨率超声术前检查与术中直观测量一致,术后高分辨率超声检查结果与随访结果一致,高分辨率超声为肘管综合征诊治的有效辅助手段。     

Ulnar nerve palsy at the elbow after general anaesthesia

Ulnar nerve palsy is a recognized complication of general anaesthesia. Many authors have reported several series of patients and found different incidences. In this literature review, the patho-physiology of the lesion and the anatomical characteristics of the cubital tunnel at the elbow are described together with its related conditions “cubital tunnel compression syndrome” and “recurrent ulnar nerve dislocation at the elbow.” A precise and early diagnosis should be made using electromyography to determine the exact location of the lesion and the precise time-relationship of the pathology. The importance of careful positioning of the patient under anaesthesia in the prevention of ulnar nerve palsy is stressed. Unfortunately, treatment of the established lesion gives, at best, mixed results.     

Compression of the deep branch of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal by a ganglion: two cases

INTRODUCTION: Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist can be caused by a variety of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. Isolated compression of only the deep branch of ulnar nerve by a ganglion is very uncommon. Ultrasound examination can clearly show the cystic lesion compressing the nerves. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We present two cases of compression of deep branch of ulnar nerve by a ganglion in the Guyon's canal. Two male patients presented with history of progressive weakness and paraesthesia in the medial 1(1/2) digits of the non-dominant hand. Interestingly, both the patients noticed sudden onset and rapid progress of the symptoms and signs. Clinical examination revealed typical symptoms of ulnar nerve (deep branch) palsy. Nerve conduction studies showed severe denervation of the deep branch of the ulnar nerves in both the patients and ultrasound confirmed the diagnosis. Surgical decompression led to complete recovery. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Whilst compression by a ganglion in the Guyon's canal is rare but well recognized, a feature of both of our cases was the rapid progression and severe nature of the compressive symptoms and signs. This is in contrast to the more typical features of compressive neuropathy and should alert the clinician to the possible underlying cause of compression. Early decompression has the potential to promote a complete recovery.     

Proximal ulnar nerve compression secondary to tophaceous gout

Although gout is a recognised but rare cause of carpal tunnel syndrome, compression of the ulnar nerve by tophaceous gout is rare. We describe a case of proximal ulnar nerve compression due to tophaceous gout in an 87-year-old man. Surgical decompression, with excision of the lesion and a section of the ulnar belly of Flexor Carpi Ulnaris produced symptomatic relief. This case illustrates that in the differential diagnosis of ulnar nerve palsy, tophaceous gout should be considered in those patients with known gout.     

Intermediate and long-term outcomes following simple decompression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow

INTRODUCTION: There is currently little consensus regarding the appropriate surgical approach to treatment of cubital tunnel syndrome (CubTS), and few studies have reported long-term follow-up of patients who have received surgical treatment for ulnar nerve compression at the elbow. METHOD: Seventy-four patients with a total of 102 cases of CubTS treated with simple decompression of the ulnar nerve were examined 1.0-12.4 years postoperatively. Ulnar nerve conduction studies (slowest conducting 5 cm segment of ulnar nerve motor fibers measured at the elbow) were performed both pre- and postoperatively. The primary clinical outcome was percentage relief of symptoms, divided into "excellent" outcome group or less (> or = 90% improvement or < 90% improvement). RESULTS: Ulnar nerve conduction improved pre- to postoperatively, but clinical improvement was not related to changes in velocity. Women reported greater clinical improvement than men, and weight gain in men (but not women) predicted less improvement. Relief of cubital tunnel symptoms was greatest for those arms receiving carpal tunnel release surgery simultaneous or subsequent to cubital tunnel release. DISCUSSION: Simple decompression may offer excellent intermediate and long-term relief of symptoms associated with CubTS. Although improvement in ulnar motor nerve conduction velocity occurs following treatment of CubTS, it may not be a consistent marker of perceived symptom relief. Finally, these findings suggest that less complete relief of symptoms following ulnar nerve decompression may be related to unrecognized carpal tunnel syndrome or weight gain.     

Congenital Pseudarthrosis of Femur and Sciatic Nerve Palsy with Congenital Constriction Band Syndrome: Report of the First Case in Literature

Congenital constriction band syndrome has varied clinical presentations ranging from small, incomplete skin deep constriction band to in utero amputation. Pseudarthrosis of underlying bone most commonly tibia has been reported by many authors. We report the first case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the femur with congenital constriction band syndrome. Nine-day-old female presented with the constriction band in the left thigh with open pseudarthrosis of the femur. The left femur had gross recurvatum deformity and the posterior apex of the pseudarthrosis was exposed via skin ulceration. She had an ipsilateral paralytic clubfoot. She was treated with single-stage excision of constriction band and Z-plasty. Spontaneous union of the femur was achieved at 3 months. Procurvatum deformity of the femur improved gradually over 3 years. This happens to be the first and only reported case of congenital pseudarthrosis of the femur with sciatic nerve palsy due to congenital constriction band.     

The treatment of the cubital tunnel syndrome

Treatment by in situ release, submuscular transposition, and anterior subcutaneous transposition have all been reported to produce satisfactory results for ulnar neuropathy secondary to the cubital tunnel syndrome. A prospective study was done to determine which preoperative clinical and electrical factors and surgical approaches in patients with ulnar nerve palsy at the elbow had the best results. The 32 patients had an average age of 50 years, had symptoms for an average of 15 months before surgery, and underwent postoperative follow-up for an average of 13 months. All patients with good results had no atrophy or preoperative fibrillations in the intrinsic muscles and had an obtainable evoked sensory potential. The change in motor conduction velocity did not correlate with good results. There was no significant difference in the results of the three surgical procedures. Eight of the 37 operations yielded good results, 19 patients showed an improvement, but 10 of the operations yielded poor results. Our results also indicated that surgical results could be predicted by proper patient selection through the assessment of the preoperative physical examination and electromyogram.     

Combined ulnar and carpal tunnel syndrome caused by pigmented villo-nodular tenosynovitis: a rare case

Pigmented villo-nodular synovitis/tenosynovitis (PVNS) is a rare cause of combined ulnar and median nerve compression neuropathy at the wrist. In our case, a 53-year-old house-wife had sensorial and motor complaints at her left hand. In clinical examination, painless soft tissue mass was palpated at her wrist and both the tenar and hypotenar muscles were atrophic. Electromyography showed prolonged distal latencies for median and ulnar nerve. A space-occupying soft tissue lesion was revealed in magnetic resonance imaging. Carpal tunnel and Guyon canal were released and lesion was excised. PVNS was confirmed by histopathological examination. If compression neuropathy of medial and ulnar nerves together is caused by a space-occupying lesion, PVNS should be considered in etiology.     

Peripheral nerve palsy associated with congenital constriction band syndrome.

Of 21 patients with congenital constriction band syndrome treated in our clinic from 1967 to 1988, four had constriction bands proximal to the wrist. Three of these also had a peripheral nerve palsy. Late surgical decompression does not help but early diagnosis, using electrodiagnosis methods, and neurolysis or nerve grafting as soon as possible may improve nerve function.     

How should one treat iatrogenic ulnar injury after closed reduction and percutaneous pinning of paediatric supracondylar humeral fractures?

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to assess iatrogenic ulnar nerve injuries after supracondylar humeral fractures treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. METHODS: The series consisted of 473 children. All patients were treated with closed reduction and percutaneous pinning. Neurological examination performed immediately after the operation revealed 25 ulnar nerve injuries (5.2%) in patients who had completely normal neurological findings in the preoperative period. Electromyographic examinations were performed at 6 and 12 weeks postoperatively in patient with ulnar nerve lesions. RESULTS: The mean age was 6 years (4-8 years). The mean hospitalisation time was 2 days and the mean follow-up time was 30.8 months (17-63 months). Twenty-two patients with electromyogram showed partial denervation and conduction blocks at the elbow at 6 weeks. Regenerative electromyogram findings were found at 12 weeks. Sensory function in all patients had returned at a mean of 2 months (1-4 months) while motor function had returned at a mean of 5.4 months (1-7 months). Unusually all patients had complete return of nerve function and full motion in their elbows. CONCLUSION: We evaluated the results of 473 patients and to our knowledge this is the largest series in the literature. Although the rate of ulnar nerve injuries (5.2%) is comparable, the number of the patients (n: 22) is the largest in the literature and may allow us to draw stronger conclusions. In our opinion, if ulnar nerve injury is detected after the operation, patients should be followed up for 7 months without intervention.     

Surgical treatment of a tomaculous neuropathy

Compressive neuropathy of the ulnar nerve at the elbow is the second most common nerve entrapment in the upper limb. Eight possible anatomical points of constriction have been identified. The most common constriction being the intermuscular septum proximally or between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris in the cubital canal distally. Surgical release is successful in 80-90% of cases. Certain rare genetic conditions can predispose susceptible peripheral nerves to similar compressive neuropathies but there is no literature on surgical treatment of such patients. We present a case of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsy (HNPP) often known as 'tomaculous' neuropathy, in a patient with ulnar nerve symptoms who underwent a surgical release.     

Radial nerve palsy in the newborn: a report of four cases and literature review

BACKGROUND: Radial nerve palsy in the neonate is a rare clinical entity but must be distinguished from the more common brachial plexus birth palsy which occurs during the perinatal period. Although longer term upper-limb function following brachial plexus birth palsy is highly variable depending on the extent of neurological involvement, sparse reports of neonates with radial nerve palsy have nearly universal spontaneous recovery with normal upper-limb function. METHODS: We report 4 cases of patients born with findings consistent with radial nerve palsy. RESULTS: All 4 cases of neonatal radial nerve palsy supported a common etiology of intrauterine compression and resulted in spontaneous recovery of radial nerve function. CONCLUSION: Neonatal radial nerve palsy should be suspected in newborns presenting with absent wrist and digital extension but intact deltoid, biceps, and triceps function with wrist and digital flexor function. The presence of ecchymosis and/or fat necrosis along the posterolateral brachium may support the notion that neonatal radial nerve palsy is caused by a compression injury during or before labor. Complete spontaneous recovery of radial nerve function may be anticipated if there is no associated infectious or constriction band pathology.     

Unusual complication of an opposition tendon transfer at the wrist: ulnar nerve compression syndrome

Restoration of thumb opposition by tendon transfer may be necessary in cases of severe thenar atrophy caused by long-standing carpal tunnel syndrome. Routing the extensor indicis proprius transfer subcutaneously around the ulna to reanimate thumb opposition is an accepted procedure and is considered safe. Ulnar nerve compression leading to palsy is possible, however, as shown in the patient presented. Neurolysis failed to improve the palsy. Rerouting of the transfer deep to the ulnar nerve was necessary to treat the iatrogenic condition. Possible nerve compression should be kept in mind when planning a tendon transfer around the ulnar side of the forearm or carpus and when following up with the patient. Early intervention is necessary to prevent permanent sequelae.