Can neurologic examination predict pathophysiology of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow?

Clinical Findings and Electrodiagnostic Testing in Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow and Differences According to Site and Type of Nerve Damage

“…Another problem is the classification according to physiopathology of UNE. Our classification is similar but not the same as those already reported 3,42,44,45 The classification made by these authors substantially follows the physiopathology of polyneuropathies. 46 We considered axonal form of UNE in presence of denervation activity at rest and/or CMAP amplitude reduction, in absence of CB, but these cases had MCV delay across-elbow and might be affected by mixed damage (i.e.…”

“…Moreover, ulnar hand dorsum can be partially or fully supplied by the sensory radial nerve (SRN), and anastomoses between SRN dorsal branches and DUCN were described. 42 We observed high relation between symptoms, clinical severity and all neurographic parameters, especially in more advanced stages. Consequently, EDX well reflected the clinical worsening in UNE.…”

Neurologic examination and instrument‐based measurements in the evaluation of ulnar neuropathy at the elbow

“…Although a previous study reported higher sensitivity of monofilaments to detect sensory loss in diabetic patients, we found clinical assessment of touch sensation using cotton wool to be more sensitive (93%) and specific (96%) than Semmes‐Weinstein monofilaments. However, the clinical assessment of sensation using cotton wool and a pin was not able to demonstrate the differences in sensation between diverse UNE pathophysiologies, whereas Semmes‐Weinstein monofilaments consistently demonstrated such differences in the territories of all three main ulnar cutaneous branches. The most probable reason for the reduced ability of clinical assessment is the difficulty in applying a similar stimulus, and the very crude scale (sensation: normal, reduced, or absent) used.…”

“…We included 175 UNE patients and 49 controls in our analyses. Their demographic and clinical characteristics have been reported previously . As no significant difference ( P > 0.05) in UNE pathophysiology was found between the ADM and FDI muscle recordings, we determined UNE pathophysiology on the basis of ADM recordings in all analyses.…”

“…Their demographic and clinical characteristics have been reported previously. 10 As no significant difference (P > 0.05) in UNE pathophysiology was found between the ADM and FDI muscle recordings, we determined UNE pathophysiology on the basis of ADM recordings in all analyses. In our series 96 patients had axonal UNE, 34 UNE with conduction block, and 45 UNE with conduction slowing.…”