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Sensory and mixed nerve conduction studies in the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow
Author(s) -
Raynor Elizabeth M.,
Shefner Jeremy M.,
Preston David C.,
Logician Eric L.
Publication year - 1994
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.880170714
Subject(s) - ulnar neuropathy , elbow , ulnar nerve , medicine , nerve conduction , motor nerve , nerve conduction velocity , sensory system , sensory nerve , electromyography , anatomy , physical examination , entrapment neuropathy , nerve conduction study , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , neuroscience , carpal tunnel syndrome , psychology
The relative sensitivities of sensory, mixed nerve, and motor conduction studies in assessing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow have not yet been established. Using surface electrodes, we performed conduction studies across the elbow segment in 43 patients with symptoms referable to the ulnar nerve and 40 control subjects. Segmental slowing of motor conduction localized the lesion to the elbow in 14 of 21 patients (67%) with clear evidence of ulnar neuropathy on physical examination but only in 2 of 22 (9%) with subtle or no physical examination abnormalities. The diagnostic yield was increased by the finding of segmental slowing of sensory or mixed nerve conduction across the elbow to 86% and 68%, respectively, for each of the groups. We conclude that surface‐recorded sensory and mixed nerve conduction studies appear to be more sensitive than motor studies in the electrodiagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow and are especially valuable in patients with subtle clinical involvement. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.