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Diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy: A new approach
Author(s) -
Merlevede Karen,
Theys Paul,
van Hees Johan
Publication year - 2000
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(200004)23:4<478::aid-mus4>3.0.co;2-4
Subject(s) - ulnar neuropathy , ulnar nerve , elbow , medicine , wrist , electrodiagnosis , median nerve , latency (audio) , flexor carpi ulnaris , anatomy , upper limb , compound muscle action potential , electromyography , cubital tunnel , surgery , physical medicine and rehabilitation , electrophysiology , cubital tunnel syndrome , computer science , telecommunications
Conventional electrodiagnosis used to detect an ulnar neuropathy at the elbow depends on accurate determination of ulnar nerve length across this segment. We present a new approach, using the difference in latency of the compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) of the ulnar and median nerves elicited by stimulation at the wrist and recorded 10 cm above the elbow. Sixty normal controls were examined in order to determine the normal upper limit (1.4 ms) of the difference in CNAP latency of the ulnar and the median nerves (Dlat index). Values obtained in 10 patients with ulnar nerve lesions are discussed. This test was shown to be both sensitive and specific, was independent of ulnar nerve length, and was easy to perform. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 478–481, 2000.