Ulnar nerve entrapment at and distal to wrist: Clinical, electrophysiological and operative study

ABSTRACT

This study included 15 patients [7 females and 8 males]. Their mean age was 37.7 years. All cases demonstrated sensory and motor deficits. The clinical evidences of deep palmar entrapment was present in 5 cases. Electrophysiologically, prolongation of distal motor latency to first dorsal interosseous muscle was detected in 5 cases, i.e. latency ranged from 5.8 ms tp 6.7 ms with a mean of 6.1 ms. In 10 cases, there was a prolongation of distal motor latency to abductor digit i.e. the latency ranged from 3.9 ms to 8 ms with a mean of 4.6 ms. All cases demonstrated electromyographic changes. Exploration reveals the presence of ganglion in 7 cases, fibrosis around ulnar nerve trunk in 2 cases and in 6 cases no specific pathology was detected. Follow-up showed complete recovery in 10 cases and partial improvement was obtained in 5 cases