Ultrasonographic Findings and Usefulness in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate preoperative ultrasonographic findings and usefulness in ulnar neuropathy around elbow. Materials and Methods: Twenty-two patients with ulnar neuropathy were performed preoperative ultra-sonogram. The route, location, thickness of the ulnar nerve and space occupying lesion through longitudi-nal scan were evaluated. Cross-sectional areas of the ulnar nerve were measured at the level of medial epicondyle and 3 cm proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle through axial scan. Correlations between swelling ratio of ulnar nerve and eletrophysiologic study and preoperative Dellon’s assessment were checked. Results: In 21 cases (95.6%) of total 22 cases, diffuse swelling of the ulnar nerve around elbow were identified. 4 cases had space occupying lesions including 3 ganglionic cysts and 1 heterotopic ossifica-tion. Cross sectional areas at the level of medial epicondyle were significantly larger than at the level of 3 cm proximal and distal to the medial epicondyle (p<0.05). There were no statistically significant correla-tions between swelling ratio of ulnar nerve and eletrophysiologic study and preoperative clinical assess-ment (p>0.05). Conclusion: This study showed that ultrasonography was helpful to detect etiology of ulnar neuropath