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Cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve after decompression at the cubital tunnel

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Journal of Hand Surgery (European Volume): Journal of the British Society for Surgery of the Hand & Official Journal of the Federation of European Societies for Surgery of the Hand

Published online on

Abstract

A total of 48 patients undergoing surgical decompression of the ulnar nerve at the cubital tunnel between February 2010 and May 2013 were retrospectively studied to determine changes in the cross-sectional area of the nerve by the technique of neurosonography. The mean follow-up was 46 months. Post-operative follow-up examination of the cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve showed a slight reduction in the mean value from 13.8 mm2 (pre-operative) to 12.9 mm2 (post-operative). Of the 48 patients, 36 showed a reduction in the cross-sectional area. No correlation was detected between the clinical and sonographic outcomes. Ultrasound seems to be of limited value in the post-operative assessment of patients with entrapment neuropathy of the ulnar nerve.

Level of Evidence: IV