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Skeletal Radiology
Published in: Skeletal Radiology 7/2022

01-07-2022 | Neurotomy | Scientific Article

Diagnosing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow on MRI: importance of the longitudinal extent of the hyperintense ulnar nerve

Authors: Sujin Kim, Bo Mi Chung, Wan Tae Kim, Guen Young Lee, Joonho Hur, Joo Hee Kim, Young Lee

Published in: Skeletal Radiology | Issue 7/2022

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Abstract

Objective

To evaluate the usefulness of the longitudinal extent (LE) of high ulnar nerve signal intensity (SI) for the diagnosis of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE).

Materials and methods

This retrospective study included 68 patients who underwent elbow MRI. Twenty-seven and 41 patients were enrolled in the UNE and control groups, respectively. Qualitative and quantitative analyses of the SI and size of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel, proximal, and distal to the cubital tunnel were performed. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and nerve-to-muscle contrast ratio (NMCR) were measured at each level. The LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve was evaluated using axial and coronal images. The presence of space-occupying lesions (SOLs), subluxation, and muscle denervation were recorded. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent predictive factors.

Results

Ulnar nerve hyperintensity at and distal to the cubital tunnel, presence of compression, SOL, muscle denervation, LE of hyperintense ulnar nerve, NMCR, and CSA at and distal to the cubital tunnel significantly differed between the two groups. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve and CSA at the cubital tunnel were independent predictive factors for UNE (p < 0.05).

Conclusion

LE of the hyperintense ulnar nerve could be a useful predictive factor for UNE.
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Metadata
Title
Diagnosing ulnar neuropathy at the elbow on MRI: importance of the longitudinal extent of the hyperintense ulnar nerve
Authors
Sujin Kim
Bo Mi Chung
Wan Tae Kim
Guen Young Lee
Joonho Hur
Joo Hee Kim
Young Lee
Publication date
01-07-2022
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
Skeletal Radiology / Issue 7/2022
Print ISSN: 0364-2348
Electronic ISSN: 1432-2161
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-022-03990-1

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