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Pilot study: Differences in echo intensity ratios between ulnar and median innervated muscles in ulnar neuropathy
Author(s) -
Choi Hanboram,
Choi Jun Ho,
Kang Seok,
Yoon Joon Shik,
Son SeongHo
Publication year - 2019
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/mus.26631
Subject(s) - medicine , ulnar neuropathy , ulnar nerve , elbow , prospective cohort study , median nerve , intensity (physics) , surgery , nuclear medicine , physics , quantum mechanics
Background This study evaluated muscle echo intensity (EI) ratio in patients with ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) and healthy controls. Methods In this prospective study, 28 patients with electrodiagnostically confirmed unilateral UNE and 12 healthy controls were ultrasonographically assessed for EI ratios of the hypothenar and thenar muscles. The affected and unaffected hands between the UNE patients and controls and patient subgroups (subdivided according to electrodiagnostic severity) were compared to determine any significant differences. Results In patients with UNE, the EI ratio of the hypothenar to thenar muscles was significantly higher for the affected side than for the unaffected side (1.08 ± 0.11 and 0.97 ± 0.18, respectively) or the control group (0.95 ± 0.05). A significant difference in the EI ratio was observed among the subgroups (mild vs. severe subgroup, P < 0.01). Conclusions Ultrasonographic EI measurement may be a useful parameter in the evaluation and screening of UNE.