Electrophysiological Study For The Ulnar Nerve Entrapment – Ulnar Nerve Syndrome

Abstract

The current research aimed to investigate electrophysiological findings in the Ulnar Nerve Entrapment(UNE). Ulnar
nerve entrapment is the second nerve entrapment after the median nerve compression in the(Carpal Tunnel
Syndrome); this occurs at the wrist and at the elbow. The neurological finding could be either purely sensory or
purely motor or both. Fifty patients were included in this study with ulnar nerve entrapment, who were diagnosed
by history, clinical, physical, and neurological examination. Electrophysiological study including nerve conduction
examination for ulnar nerves, motor and sensory (bilaterally) for the patients to study the sensory nerve action
potential(SNAP), distal motor latency(DML), compound motor action potential(CMAP), distal sensory latency(DSL),
and Nerve Conduction Velocities(NCV) were done in Ibn-Senna Teaching Hospital; Nineveh Handicap Rehabilitation
center and private clinic; by using Neuropack EMG\EP measuring system–Nihoncodene(MEB-9400K)and(EMGNT)Electromyography and Nerve Conduction Studies for Galileo NT Line(Nemus2). The investigation demonstrates
that there is a highly significant difference in nerve conduction parameters(DL, CMAP, NCV) for the right and left
ulnar nerves(motor and sensory) between patients and controls. A positive relationship between the severity of
UNE and the duration of the disease. The right hand was affected more than the left hand. Age has no a positive
relationship with the severity of the disease. Body mass index has positive relationship with the severity of the
UNE, but it is not significant. It was concluded that the findings of the electrophysiological study show a strong role
in the diagnosis of the UNE in our study; side by side with the clinical diagnosis.