HSS Ultrasound of the Month Case 142

Clinical History 32 year old female with numbness and tingling in the ulnar side of the right hand.

Ultrasound of the Month – Case 142

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Ultrasound of the Month – Case 142

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Diagnosis: Cubital Tunnel Syndrome Cubital tunnel is a fibro-osseous tunnel through which the ulnar nerve courses at the level of the elbow, and irritation or compression of the ulnar nerve in this tunnel is called cubital tunnel syndrome.

Ultrasound is an excellent modality for assessing the ulnar nerve at the level of the elbow.

Just like nerve irritation elsewhere, enlargement of the ulnar nerve and loss of its normal fascicular architecture are signs of cubital tunnel syndrome.

10 mm2 is reported as the cutoff for normal cross-sectional area of the ulnar nerve at the level of the cubital tunnel.

Ultrasound, compared to MRI, has the added benefits of being able to assess for a Tinel’s sign and being able to perform dynamic maneuvers to assess nerve entrapment.

Ultrasound of the Month – Case 142

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