A reliable technique for ultrasound-guided perineural injection in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: Ulnar neuropathy at the elbow (UNE) is a common peripheral compression neuropathy and, in most cases, occurs at 2 sites, the retroepicondylar groove or the cubital tunnel. With regard to a potential therapeutic approach with perineural corticosteroid injection, the aim of this study was to evaluate the distribution of injection fluid applied at a standard site. METHODS: We performed ultrasound-guided (US-guided) perineural injections to the ulnar nerve halfway between the olecranon and the medial epicondyle in 21 upper limbs from 11 non-embalmed cadavers. In anatomic dissection we investigated the spread of injected ink. RESULTS: Ink was successfully injected into the perineural sheath of the ulnar nerve in all 21 cases (cubital tunnel 21 of 21; retroepicondylar groove 19 of 21). CONCLUSION: US-guided injection between the olecranon and the medial epicondyle is a feasible and safe method to reach the most common sites of ulnar nerve entrapment. Muscle Nerve 56 237-241, 2017.