Prospective cohort study of symptom resolution outside of the ulnar nerve distribution following cubital tunnel release

BackgroundResolution of symptoms including pain, numbness, and tingling outside of the median nerve distribution has been shown to occur following carpal tunnel release. We hypothesized that a similar effect would be found after release of the ulnar nerve at the elbow.MethodsTwenty patients with isolated cubital tunnel syndrome were prospectively enrolled. The upper extremity was divided into six zones, and the location of pain, numbness, tingling, or strange sensations was recorded pre-operatively. Two-point discrimination, Semmes-Weinstein monofilament testing, and validated questionnaires were collected. The same data were collected at 6-week follow-up. Paired t tests or non-parametric Wilcoxon Signed-Rank tests were used where appropriate to examine for significant (p ≤ 0.05) changes between pre- and post-operative scores.ResultsProbability of resolution was greater outside of the ulnar nerve distribution than within at early follow-up. There was a decrease in pain, numbness, and tingling symptoms both within and outside the ulnar distribution after cubital tunnel release. There was a decrease in pain as measured by several validated questionnaires.ConclusionThis study documents resolution of symptoms in an extra-ulnar distribution after cubital tunnel release. Improvement in pain and function after cubital tunnel release may be associated with an improvement in symptoms both within and outside the ulnar nerve distribution. Future studies could be directed at correlating pre-operative disease severity with probability of extra-territorial symptom resolution using a larger sample population.     

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。     

肘管综合征135例尺神经皮下前移术疗效分析

目的 随访肘管综合征135例尺神经皮下前移术治疗效果.方法 分析2002年2月一2005年12月,135例肘管综合征尺神经皮下前移患者的病情特点及效果.其中男109例,女26例,男女比例为4.2:1.41岁以上占68.1%.以手指活动笨拙就诊15例(占11%);电生理检测均有尺神经肘部段卡压征象.42例合并肘部骨折史.占病因的31%.135例均采用尺神经外膜松解,皮下前移术.结果 术后92例获得2-5年随访.平均2.5年;43例失访.按中华医学会手外科学会上肢功能评定标准,本组优72例,良12例,差8例,优良率为91.3%.结论 尺神经皮下前移术简单、有效,术中应保护前臂内侧皮神经、尺神经血供及分支,并确保尺神经无张力.应重视因肘部骨折和以手部活动笨拙为主要症状的早期诊治.     

两种尺神经前置方法治疗肘管综合征的疗效比较

目的比较尺神经皮下前置及肌下前置两种方法治疗肘管综合征的疗效,为临床选择恰当的治疗术式提供依据。方法 2006年6月-2008年10月收治39例肘管综合征患者,其中20例采用尺神经皮下前置(皮下前置组),19例采用尺神经肌下前置(肌下前置组)。两组患者性别、年龄、病程及临床分型等一般资料比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),具有可比性。结果两组患者术后切口均Ⅰ期愈合。术后肌下前置组17例(89.5%)发生尺神经卡压症状缓解后突然加重,1例(5.3%)肘部瘢痕增生;皮下前置组10例(50.0%)出现触碰肘前内侧皮肤时手部尺侧麻木;两组并发症发生情况比较,差异有统计学意义(χ2=9.632,P=0.002)。患者均获随访,随访时间24～36个月,平均28个月。末次随访时,两组手部握力,拇、环指及拇、小指捏力,以及小指末节两点辨别觉比较,差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05);但均较术前显著改善,差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。按中华医学会手外科学会上肢部分功能评定试用标准评定:皮下前置组获优5例,良12例,可1例,差2例;肌下前置组获优6例,良10例,可2例,差1例;两组比较差异无统计学意义(u=0.346,P=0.734)。参照患者源性功能调查表上肢功能评定表评定:皮下前置组为(22±7)分,肌下前置组为(19±6)分,差异无统计学意义(t=1.434,P=0.161)。结论尺神经皮下前置及肌下前置两种方法治疗肘管综合征均可达到良好疗效,其中尺神经肌下前置法并发症较少。     

内镜辅助尺神经前置术治疗肘管综合征的疗效随访

目的 探讨内镜辅助下尺神经松解皮下前置治疗肘管综合征的临床疗效. 方法 2008年2月至2010年6月,共收治肘管综合征患者44例,均行尺神经松解皮下前置术治疗,其中行开放性肘管切开手术28例,内镜下手术16例.对比两组手术时间、术后用药情况、创口瘢痕长度、术后住院时间.术后随访1 ～ 12个月,观察术后工作恢复时间并评价尺神经功能. 结果 内镜组平均手术时间(67.20±19.69)min,术后瘢痕长(1.50±0.58)cm,术后止痛药使用率6.3％,术后平均住院时间(2.40±1.42)d,平均恢复工作时间(14.60±4.69)d;开放组平均手术时间(62.80±11.06)min,术后瘢痕长(8.70±1.42)cm,术后止痛药使用率42.8％,平均住院时间(5.70±2.53)d,平均恢复工作时间(29.40±8.75)d,两组差异均有统计学意义(均为P＜ 0.05).按中华手外科学会周围神经功能评定标准,术后12个月,尺神经功能评分:开放组优良率82.14％,内镜组优良率81.25％,差异无统计学意义(P＞0.05). 结论 内镜组具有皮肤切口小、组织创伤轻、并发症少、术后疼痛轻,早期恢复日常工作等优点,且能获得与开放肘管切开尺神经松解皮下前置术相同的疗效.     

肌电图辅助定位小切口尺神经松解术治疗肘管综合征

目的 评价肌电图辅助定位小切口尺神经松解术治疗肘管综合征的疗效及手术适应证.方法 选取无明显手内在肌萎缩及肘关节畸形,具有典型临床症状和体征的肘管综合征患者12例,术前通过神经短节段传导(short-segment nerve conduction test,SSCT)检测的方法,以相邻两次动作电位波幅下降＞50%或潜伏期差＞0.5ms为定位标准,对上述患者进行卡压点定位,采用小切口局部尺神经松解术式,并观察卡压点术中与术前定位比较.结果 术中观测结果证明尺神经损害部位位于肱骨内上髁上方3 cm到肱骨内上髁下方1cm之间,与术前SSCT法检测卡压部位相符.12例术后均主诉手部有明显轻松感;术后3个月感觉异常全部恢复,刺痛觉及爪形指恢复,捏力和抓握力恢复;术后6个月时小指展肌肌力已完全恢复至正常,两点分辨觉平均为5.0 mm,神经传导速度(NCV)均＞45.0 m/s,波幅开始增加,SSCT无阳性发现;术后1年肌肉萎缩基本恢复,屈肘试验、肘部Tinel征、夹纸试验阴性,7例肌电图无阳性发现,1例NCV仍低于正常标准,但无临床症状及体征.术中观察神经卡压位置与术前肌电图定位相符.结论 肌电图辅助定位小切口尺神经松解术治疗肘管综合征是一种有效的方法.

Abstract：

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of in situ ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization and discuss the surgical indications.Methods Twelve patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) without intrinsic muscle atrophy and elbow deformity were involved in the study.Before the operation, short-segment nerve conduction test (SSCT) was carried out.The exact compression site was determined by the ＞ 50%reduction in amplitude or ＞ 0.5 ms lengthening in latency of action potentials recorded upon stimulation of the ulnar nerve around the elbow at 1 cm intervals.An in situ ulnar nerve release at the compression site was performed.Compression of the ulnar nerve was observed and documented to verify the accuracy of pre-operative SSCT localization.Results Intraoperative findings confirmed that lesions were located from 3 cm above to 1 cm below the medial epicondyle, which coincided with the compression sites determined by SSCT.All the patients reported alleviation of hand discomfort postoperatively.Follow-up at 3 months postoperatively showed that paresthesia in the distribution of the ulnar nerve in the hand disappeared.Pinprick sensation recovered.There was no subjective or measurable weakness in pinch or grip strength and no clumsiness or loss of coordination.Claw deformity disappeared.Six months after the surgery, the strength of abductor digiti minimi returned to normal.Two-point discrimination of the little finger was 5.0 mm on average.Nerve conduction velocity returned to ＞ 45.0 m/s.Action potential amplitude increased and SSCT yielded no positive findings.Mild atrophy was reversed one year postoperatively.Elbow flexion test, Tinel' s sign and Froment' s test were all negative.Conclusion In situ ulnar nerve decompression via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization is a suitable procedure for certain CuTS cases.     

前臂尺神经干动作电位在轻度肘管综合征诊断中的应用

目的寻求诊断肘管综合征的最敏感的电生理指标。方法2005年10月-2006年3月，对32例轻度肘管综合征的患者进行系统的电生理检测，并对数据进行分析。结果32例中肘段尺神经运动传导速度（MNCV）减低阳性率占50％，小指-腕感觉传导速度（SNCV）减慢及感觉电位波幅（AMP）降低的阳性率占40．6％，前臂尺神经干动作电位（NAP）波幅降低的阳性率占87．5％，肘段尺神经短段微移测定（SSCT）异常占59．4％，肌电图检测（EMG）阳性率占3．1％。结论前臂段（腕-肘）的尺神经NAP波幅较健侧下降〉50％，是诊断早期肘管综合征较敏感的电生理指标之一。     

Intraneural ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve causing cubital tunnel syndrome masquerading a peripheral nerve abscess of a neuritic leprosy

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy affecting the ulnar nerve. Intraneural ganglion cyst and nerve abscess due to leprosy can cause cubital tunnel syndrome. In this article, we are presenting a case of cubital tunnel syndrome caused due to an intraneural ganglion cyst in a 48-year-old lady. It had produced some diagnostic confusion due to its clinical similarity with nerve abscess. This is the first report of a case of an intraneural ganglion cyst of the ulnar nerve masquerading the diagnosis of a nerve abscess.     

尺神经外膜松解前置筋膜皮下组织瓣悬吊治疗重度肘管综合征

目的评价尺神经外膜松解前置筋膜皮下组织瓣悬吊治疗重度肘管综合征的临床疗效。方法自2005年2月-2008年8月,对重度尺神经肘管综合征行外膜松解、前置、筋膜皮下组织瓣悬吊68例。结果59例随访3～48月,平均随访18月,按2000年手外科学会上肢部分功能评定试用标准评价,优良率80．9％。结论采用尺神经外膜松解前置筋膜皮下组织瓣悬吊治疗重度肘管综合征疗效满意。     

带血供尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术解剖学研究

目的为带血供尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术提供解剖学依据。方法在12侧福尔马林固定的成人尸体上肢标本、8侧新鲜尸体上肢标本上观测尺神经在肘部的血供。结果肘部尺神经血供来源有3个:尺侧上副动脉(SUCA)、尺侧下副动脉(IUCA)和尺侧返动脉后支(PURA),与尺神经伴行长度分别约为15.0cm、5.0cm和5.5cm。尺神经于肘部发出关节支和肌支分别为1～3支。结论行尺神经深筋膜瓣下前置术时至少应保留SUCA或IUCA,深筋膜瓣的制作应依据任意皮瓣原则。     

肘管综合征的应用解剖学研究

目的 研究肘管综合征中尺神经的卡压因素,为临床手术提供解剖学依据.方法 采用解剖学方法对16具(32侧)成人尸体上肢标本进行解剖,观测造成尺神经卡压的Struthers弓形组织、内侧肌间隔和肘管,测量肘管内尺神经的面积、肘管的面积和肘管的长度,测量弓状韧带的长、宽和厚度.观测尺神经的营养血管及伴行长度,观测尺神经的尺侧腕屈肌肌支.结果 32侧上肢标本中12侧存在腱性Struthers弓形组织,10侧有肌性Struthers弓形组织,存在率为68.8%.尺神经在内上髁上方[(11.02±1.16)cm,小x±s.下同]处穿内侧肌间隔,尺神经肘管内面积与肘管面积之比为1:3.86,肘管长度为(1.96±0.18)cm.尺神经伴行血管有尺侧上副动脉和尺侧返动脉后支,尺神经在内上髁下方1cm左右发出尺侧腕屈肌肌支.结论 尺神经在肘管处最容易受压,手术治疗肘管综合征时向上的切口长度约为11.02cm,同时切除Struthers弓形组织和内侧肌间隔;尺神经前置手术时,注意保留与神经伴行的尺侧返动脉后支.     

肘管综合症50例术后随访分析

目的：报告1985年至1993年随访到的手术治疗之肘管综合症50例,方法：均行尺神经松解前置术,结果：总优良率80%,可12%,差8%,结论：对尺神经卡压的病因、治疗方法进行了讨论,认为尺神经松解前置术是治疗肘管综合症有效方法,提出神经松解后在神经外膜、束间注射确炎舒松加强疗效。     

肘管综合征尺神经的前置方式及其疗效比较

目的分析比较两种尺神经前置方式治疗肘管综合征的疗效。方法回顾分析45例肘管综合征病例，分别采用尺神经皮下前置和肌下前置两种不同手术方式；获得随访31例，其中行皮下前置23例，肌下前置8例。结果术后随访6个月-8年，平均2．4年。23例皮下前置者疗效优8例，良11例，可3例，差1例，优良率82．6％；8例肌下前置者疗效优2例，良4例，可1例，差1例，优良率75％。尺神经皮下前置和肌下前置的效果没有显著差异，但肘管综合征中度患者的疗效明显好于重度患者。结论肘管综合征的治疗最重要的是对肘管和尺神经彻底的减压，皮下前置和肌下前置两种手术方式的效果没有差异。肘管综合征一旦明确诊断，应积极行手术治疗。     

尺神经肌下前置术与皮下前置术治疗肘管综合征的Meta分析

目的 :通过Meta分析对尺神经皮下前置术(ASCT)与肌下前置术(ASMT)治疗肘管综合征的有效性和安全性进行比较。方法:按照Cochrane系统评价方法,计算机检索Medline,荷兰医学文摘(EMBase),Cochrane图书馆、Cochrane协作网专业实验数据库、中国生物医学文献数据库(CBM)、CNKI等,并采用手工检索方法收集相关随机对照试验及半随机对照试验。采用Review Manager 5.3软件进行Meta分析。结果:共纳入7个研究,Meta分析结果显示:尺神经皮下前置术与肌下前置术治疗肘管综合征在手术后小指指端两点辨别觉、手术优良率、手术并发症、手术切口长度方面差异无统计学意义。在手术时间方面,皮下前置术较肌下前置术短。结论:皮下前置术(ASCT)与肌下前置术(ASMT)均是治疗肘管综合征的有效方法。尺神经皮下前置术操作简单,手术后无须进一步固定,恢复较快,尤其适用于肥胖及老年患者。尺神经肌下前置术适用范围较广但操作较复杂。由于部分文献质量不高,可能存在各种偏移,需要更多高质量的随机对照试验来得出更可靠的结论。     

Posttraumatic ulnar neuropathy versus non-traumatic cubital tunnel syndrome: Clinical features and response to surgery

Summary The outcome of 53 patients operated on either for posttraumatic ulnar neuropathy (PUN) or non-traumatic cubital tunnel syndrome (CTS) was reviewed after 3 years follow-up. Results were analyzed and compared considering the surgical technique used (neurolysis versus anterior transposition or combined) and a variety of clinical features that could influence outcome after nerve release. In the whole series, excellent outcome was obtained in 39 patients (73%). No major differences were found with the different surgical procedures. Slightly better results, but no statistically significant, were found in cases with CTS. As to clinical parameters, patients with CTS had a higher mean age, a shorter duration of symptoms and most were men. The presence of symptoms for more than one year before operation significantly diminished the chance of satisfactory recovery in cases with CTS, but not in those with PUN. For both CTS- and PUN-cases with symptoms for more than one year, neurolysis plus anterior transposition was the more useful technique. Our study shows that CTS and PUN differ to a certain extent in their clinical profile, electrophysiological findings and response to different surgical approaches and hence can be considered as two different clinical entities.     

45例肘管综合征术后远期随访报告

目的：探讨肘管综合征远期疗效和影响疗效的有关因素。方法：对４５例４８侧肘管综合征术后进行了远期随访。随访时间２１个月～１４年，平均５年２个月。结果：优良３６侧，占７５％（３６／４８）；差４侧，占８．３％（４／４８）。术前病程长短、手内肌萎缩程度和爪形手畸形的存在与否，对远期疗效有明显影响。而年龄、尺侧腕屈肌肌力、术中神经卡压程度和术后早期疗效等，对远期疗效的影响无统计学意义。结论：对肘管综合征应早期诊断和治疗，其远期疗效较好。     

肌电图辅助定位小切口尺神经松解术治疗肘管综合征

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of in situ ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization and discuss the surgical indications.Methods Twelve patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) without intrinsic muscle atrophy and elbow deformity were involved in the study.Before the operation, short-segment nerve conduction test (SSCT) was carried out.The exact compression site was determined by the ＞ 50%reduction in amplitude or ＞ 0.5 ms lengthening in latency of action potentials recorded upon stimulation of the ulnar nerve around the elbow at 1 cm intervals.An in situ ulnar nerve release at the compression site was performed.Compression of the ulnar nerve was observed and documented to verify the accuracy of pre-operative SSCT localization.Results Intraoperative findings confirmed that lesions were located from 3 cm above to 1 cm below the medial epicondyle, which coincided with the compression sites determined by SSCT.All the patients reported alleviation of hand discomfort postoperatively.Follow-up at 3 months postoperatively showed that paresthesia in the distribution of the ulnar nerve in the hand disappeared.Pinprick sensation recovered.There was no subjective or measurable weakness in pinch or grip strength and no clumsiness or loss of coordination.Claw deformity disappeared.Six months after the surgery, the strength of abductor digiti minimi returned to normal.Two-point discrimination of the little finger was 5.0 mm on average.Nerve conduction velocity returned to ＞ 45.0 m/s.Action potential amplitude increased and SSCT yielded no positive findings.Mild atrophy was reversed one year postoperatively.Elbow flexion test, Tinel' s sign and Froment' s test were all negative.Conclusion In situ ulnar nerve decompression via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization is a suitable procedure for certain CuTS cases.     

肌电图辅助定位小切口尺神经松解术治疗肘管综合征

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of in situ ulnar nerve decompression at the cubital tunnel via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization and discuss the surgical indications.Methods Twelve patients who were diagnosed with idiopathic cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) without intrinsic muscle atrophy and elbow deformity were involved in the study.Before the operation, short-segment nerve conduction test (SSCT) was carried out.The exact compression site was determined by the ＞ 50%reduction in amplitude or ＞ 0.5 ms lengthening in latency of action potentials recorded upon stimulation of the ulnar nerve around the elbow at 1 cm intervals.An in situ ulnar nerve release at the compression site was performed.Compression of the ulnar nerve was observed and documented to verify the accuracy of pre-operative SSCT localization.Results Intraoperative findings confirmed that lesions were located from 3 cm above to 1 cm below the medial epicondyle, which coincided with the compression sites determined by SSCT.All the patients reported alleviation of hand discomfort postoperatively.Follow-up at 3 months postoperatively showed that paresthesia in the distribution of the ulnar nerve in the hand disappeared.Pinprick sensation recovered.There was no subjective or measurable weakness in pinch or grip strength and no clumsiness or loss of coordination.Claw deformity disappeared.Six months after the surgery, the strength of abductor digiti minimi returned to normal.Two-point discrimination of the little finger was 5.0 mm on average.Nerve conduction velocity returned to ＞ 45.0 m/s.Action potential amplitude increased and SSCT yielded no positive findings.Mild atrophy was reversed one year postoperatively.Elbow flexion test, Tinel' s sign and Froment' s test were all negative.Conclusion In situ ulnar nerve decompression via a small incision assisted with electromyography localization is a suitable procedure for certain CuTS cases.