The diagnostic value of the “inching technique” of ulnar motor conduction for postoperative electrophysiological evaluation of ulnar compression at the elbow
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- 作者：Paternostro-Sluga ; T. ; Ciovica ; R. ; Turkof ; E. ; Zauner-Dungl ; A.
- 刊名：Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
- 出版年：1996
- 出版时间：October, 1996
- 年：1996
- 卷：99
- 期：4
- 页码：304
- 全文大小：147 K
文摘
The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the diagnostic value of the “inching technique” of ulnar motor conduction across the elbow in evaluating the results of subcutaneous transposition of ulnar nerve, treated for proximal compression neuropathy. 22 Patients (4 females, 18 males, age: 18-65), who suffered from ulnar nerve compression at the elbow, underwent subcutaneous transposition and were scheduled for the study between one and five years after intervention. Ulnar motor nerve conduction velocity for the lower arm and across the elbow, segmental stimulation (“inching technique”) across the elbow and distal sensory antidromic conduction velocity were performed. For segmental stimulation latency and amplitude changes over successive 2-cm segments were measured. The muscle potentials were recorded from hypothenar and first dorsal interosseous. For clinical examination motor function, sensory function and pain were assessed. In all patients, even in those with excellent recovery, segmental stimulation across the elbow revealed a sharply localized latency increase. These findings were also observe in patients five years after surgery. Two patients also showed a focal decrease in amplitude. Motor nerve conduction velocity across the elbow was either normal or slightly reduced. Sensory nerve conduction velocity was either pathological or could not be recorded. Clinically, both patients with focally decreased amplitude complaint of permanent pain. We conclude that after subcutaneous transposition a sharply localized latency increase at the elbow does not indicate a lack of recovery or recurrent focal neuropathy, but can be regarded as a clinically irrelevant deficit. In contrast, there is evidence that a focally decreased amplitude at the elbow may be related to an ongoing nerve lesion.