Multimodality imaging review of ulnar nerve pathologies.

The ulnar nerve is the second most commonly entrapped nerve after the median nerve. Although clinical evaluation and electrodiagnostic studies remain widely used for the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy, advancements in imaging have led to increased utilization of these newer / better imaging techniques in the overall management of ulnar neuropathy. Specifically, high-resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves as well as MRI has become quite useful in evaluating the ulnar nerve in order to better guide treatment. The caliber and fascicular pattern identified in the normal ulnar nerves are important distinguishing features from ulnar nerve pathology. The cubital tunnel within the elbow and Guyon's canal within the wrist are important sites to evaluate with respect to ulnar nerve compression. Both acute and chronic conditions resulting in deformity, trauma as well as inflammatory conditions may predispose certain patients to ulnar neuropathy. Granulomatous diseases as well as both neurogenic and non-neurogenic tumors can also potentially result in ulnar neuropathy. Tumors around the ulnar nerve can also lead to mass effect on the nerve, particularly in tight spaces like the aforementioned canals. Although high-resolution ultrasonography is a useful modality initially, particularly as it can be helpful for dynamic evaluation, MRI remains most reliable due to its higher resolution. Newer imaging techniques like sonoelastography and microneurography, as well as nerve-specific contrast agents, are currently being investigated for their usefulness and are not routinely being used currently.

Neurólise ulnar sob anestesia localem pacientes com hanseníase / Ulnar nerve decompression with local anesthesia in patients with Hansen disease

Contexto: A hanseníase é uma doença endêmica em nosso meio e pode provocar deformidadesfísicas se não tratada adequadamente. A descompressão cirúrgica do nervo periférico acometido porvezes é necessária para prevenção dessas ocorrências. Objetivo: Relatar a técnica de descompressãode nervo ulnar, o mais frequentemente acometido na hanseníase, realizada ambulatorialmente emserviço de referência no estado da Bahia. Material e métodos: Os autores relatam a experiência com84 pacientes submetidos à cirurgia ambulatorial de neuropatia compressiva ulnar, entre fevereiro de 2008 e fevereiro de 2009. O quadro clínico mais encontrado foi dor de difícil manejo terapêutico e asincapacidades físicas. As cirurgias tiveram uma média de duração de 30 minutos. O procedimentoconsistiu em descompressão seguida de neurólise de nervo ulnar sob anestesia local sem utilização degarrote. Resultados: Os pacientes toleraram bem as cirurgias, e a dor, avaliada pela escala analógica,melhorou em praticamente todos os casos. Conclusão: A técnica ambulatorial de descompressãoulnar é um método eficaz, com baixo índice de complicações e adequada para manuseio de doençatão desafiadora como a hanseníase em países em desenvolvimento.

Background: Leprosy is endemic in our country leading often to physical deformities when not adequatelytreated. The surgical decompression of the peripheral nerve involved by the disease sometimes isthe best option in order to avoid these occurrences. Objective: To report the surgical technique ofulnar decompression with local anesthesia as an outpatient procedure at a Leprosy Institution inBahia, Brazil. Material and methods: Eighty-four outpatients were operated between February 2008and February 2009. Pain of difficult management and the physical disabilities were the predominantsymptoms. The procedure consisted of decompression followed by neurolyses under local anesthesiawithout tourniquet. The median surgical time was thirty minutes. Results: The patients tolerated wellthe procedure and significant pain relief was obtained in almost all cases. Conclusion: The outpatientsurgical decompression of ulnar nerve is efficacious and accompanied by minor complications and is adequate to manage ulnar compression by leprosy in developing countries.

Avaliação da neurólise ulnar na neuropatia hansênica / Assessment of ulnar neurolysis in leprous neuropathy

Os autores avaliam os resultados de 35 procedimentos de descompressão cirúrgica do nervo ulnar realizados em 28 pacientes hansênicos. Os parâmetros utilizados incluíram a escala analógica visual, a escala comportamental, a avaliação da força muscular, a estesiometria e a avaliação do efeito do procedimento no que tange à diminuição da corticoterapia no pós-operatório. Observou-se resolução imediata da dor após a realização da cirurgia, melhora da força muscular em metade dos pacientes, melhora da sensibilidade em metade dos pacientes. A diminuição da dosagem da prednisona após a cirurgia foi constante e significativa após a operação.

In this study, the authors assess the results of 35 surgical ulnar nerve decompression procedures performed on 28 leprous patients. The parameters employed included the visual analogue scale, the behavioral scale, the muscle strength evaluation, the esthesiometry and the evaluation of the effect of the procedure on decreasing postoperative corticoid therapy doses. Early resolution of pain was seen after surgery, muscle strength increased in half of the patients, sensitivity increased in half of the patients, with ongoing and significant decrease of prednisone doses after surgery.

Quantificação do grau de melhora da força de preensão palmar em pacientes portadores de hanseníase submetidos a neurólise dos nervos ulnar e mediano: relato de um caso / Quantification of the degree of improvement of the hold force to palmar in carrying patients of hanseníase submitted neurólise of the nerves to ulnar and medium: story of a case

O presente trabalho teve como objetivo quantificar o grau de melhora da força de preensão palmar nos pacientes hansenianos com sequelas da mão. Trata-se de um estudo de caso com um paciente portador de hanseníase e o instrumento utilizado na coleta de dados foi o dinamômetro Jamar que esteve auxiliando o estudo antes e depois da neurólise dos nervos ulnar e mediano. Conclui-se com este estudo que o dinamômetro Jamar é um instrumento confiável e seguro para detectar a perda da força de preensão palmar de uma pessoa e, para precisão dos resultados, padroniza-se a manopla do aparelho na posição 2 e a posição do paciente, sempre alternando os membros com intervalo de um minuto para evitar fadiga muscular. A neurólise é eficaz para liberar o nervo e, após este procedimento cirúrgico, utiliza-se tala gessada no membro e, posteriormente inicia-se a reabilitação. É através da Fisioterapia que o paciente consegue maior recuparação e mobilidade do membro afetado

Neurólise ulnar externa: tratamento cirúrgico e avaliaçäo estesiométrica / Ulnar nerve decompression: surgical treatment and sensory recovery evaluation

Vinte pacientes submetidos a neurólise ulnar externa foram avaliados para verificar a eficiência desta cirurgia na recuperaçäo da perda sensitiva na neuropatia hanseniana. A avaliaçäo sensitiva foi quantificada pelo método de Siemmens-Weistein antes e após o procedimento cirúrgico. Dos 20 pacientes, 16 (80 por cento) obtiveram melhora do quadro deficitário, 4 (20 por cento) näo obtiveram melhora clínica; destes, 3 (15 por cento) foram considerados como portadores de neuropatia leve pré-operatoriamente e apenas 1 (5 por cento) apresentava neuropatia grave, näo se verificando melhora clínica. Conclui-se que a neurólise ulnar externa é capaz de produzir recuperaçäo sensitiva acentuada em pacientes portadores de neuropatia grave e moderada e que nos casos em que existe neuropatia leve, tal procedimento, quando näo for capaz de produzir melhora significativa, provavelmente impedirá o curso progressivo da neuropatia.

Results of surgical decompression of ulnar nerve in leprosy.

Ulnar neurolysis in 279 cases of leprosy was performed with objectives of relief in neuritic pain and impending/ existing sensory motor loss of varying extent. Of the above, 193 could be followed between 3-10 years. Neuritic pain was first to disappear. 48.7% of the 193 cases showed sensory recovery. Motor power gain and/or further fall in muscle power was prevented as a result of preventive neurolysis in 173 (89.6%) cases. In this series benefits of appropriate and timely surgical intervention have been observed.

Neurólise externa do ulnar: apresentaçäo de técnica ambulatorial / Neurolysis for ulnar nerve compression syndrome: a surgical technique for outpatients

Apresenta-se uma técnica cirúrgica de neurólise externa do nervo ulnar com o uso de anestesia local e sem isquemia peroperatória. Crê-se que este procedimento representa boa opçäo de uso no tratamento ambulatorial em longa escala da neuropatia do nervo ulnar, especialmente em pacientes com hanseníase.

Comparative trial of steroids and surgical intervention in the management of ulnar neuritis.

Fifty-seven ulnar nerves in 39 patients with early neuritis were studied to assess the benefits offered by medial epicondylectomy and external decompression in addition to steroid therapy. The patients were randomly allocated to the surgical or medical group. In those cases where there was bilateral involvement, surgery was carried out on only one side. All cases were assessed prior to treatment and after the first and second years following treatment. The improvement in motor and sensory functions attained at the end of the first year was sustained into the second year. The improvement sustained in both groups was similar even in the second year, and medial epicondylectomy with external decompression seems to have no added benefit as compared to steroid therapy alone in the early treatment of ulnar neuritis. Early diagnosis and treatment, especially in borderline lepromatous cases, seem to offer some hope of nerve function recovery.

Single tendon--two insertion versus two tendon transfers for reablement of ulnar-median palsied thumb in leprosy.

Twenty-three opponensplasties for ulnar median paralysis in 20 leprosy patients were performed by two different procedures i.e. extensor indicis proprius and flexor digitorum superficialis transfers using standard techniques. The results were evaluated using various objective and subjective, anatomical and functional parameters. Two tendon transfers appeared to be superior to single tendon two insertion transfers. It was concluded that if situation permits, two tendon transfers should be performed for combined ulnar median paralysis.