• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.6
• /
• pp.815-818
• /
• 2010

Purpose: Soft tissue chondroma is a rare benign tumor, found mainly on the palm and sole and grows slowly. Typically, mature hyaline cartilage is the dominant pathological feature. There are reports that assert soft tissue chondromas to be a cause of median nerve entrapment syndrome. However, this is the first case report showing soft tissue chondroma to be a cause of simultaneous median and ulnar neuropathy. Methods: A 62 year-old woman presented with chief complaints of numbness and hypoesthesia of her right palm for 4 to 5 years, and a palpable mass on her right palm that had been increasing in size slowly for 3 years. Physical examination revealed a firm, mobile, non-tender and about $3{\times}3\;cm^2$ sized mass in the center of the right palm. Electromyography showed entrapment neuropathy of the median and ulnar nerve. Ultrasonography showed an approximately $5.7\;cm^2$ mass below the flexor tendon of ring finger. Upon surgical excision, a $3{\times}3\;cm^2$ mass attached to the flexor digitorum profundus of ring finger and redness and hypertrophy of both the median and ulnar nerve were discovered. Mass excision was performed gently and the specimen was referred for histopathologic study. Mass excision resulted in median and ulnar nerve release. Results: The pathology report confirmed the mass to be a soft tissue chondroma with mature hyaline cartilage. The patient exhibited post-operative improvement of her symptoms and did not show any complications. Conclusion: This is the first case report showing soft tissue chondroma to be a cause of simultaneous median and ulnar neuropathy.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
• /
• v.37 no.1
• /
• pp.95-98
• /
• 2010

Purpose: One of the most common cause of upper extremity lymphedema is breast cancer surgery. We experienced the nerve entrapment syndrome which was associated with postmastectomy lymphedema. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first case report of lymphedema induced nerve entrapment syndrome on upper extremity in Korea. Methods: A 54-year-old woman presented with a tingling sensation on her right hand, which had been present for 1 year. On her history, she had a postmastectomy lymphedema on her right upper extremity for 20 years. Initial electromyography (EMG) showed that the ampulitude of the median, ulnar, and dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve were decreased, and conduction block was also seen in median nerve across the wrist. In needle EMG, incomplete interference patterns were observed in the muscles innervated by median and ulnar nerves. In conclusion, electrophysiologic study and clinical findings suggested right median and ulnar neuropathy below the elbow. Therefore, we performed surgical procedures, which were release of carpal tunnel, Guyon's canal, and cubital tunnel. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful until the first two years. The tingling sensation and claw hand deformity were improved, however, the motor function decreased progressively. In 7 years after the operation, patient could not flex her wrist and thumb sufficiently. EMG which was performed recently showed that ulnar motor response was of low ampulitude. Moreover, median, ulnar, dorsal ulnar cutaneous, lateral antecubital cutaneous and median antebrachial cutaneous sensory response were unobtainable. Abnormal spontaneous activities were observed in upper arm muscles. In conclusion, multiple neuropathies were eventually developed at above elbow level. Conclusion: On treating nerve entrapments associated with lymphedema, medical professionals should be fully aware of the possibility of unpredictable results after the surgery, because of the pathophysiologic traits of chronic lymphedema.

• Clinical Pain
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.20-24
• /
• 2021

In this case report, we present a rare case of lipoma of the tendon sheath localized to the wrist which caused median entrapment neuropathy and was successfully treated with surgical excision. Dynamic examination using ultrasonography revealed the exact location of the lipoma. Electrodiagnostic study (EDX) was done before surgery to elucidate combined neuropathy, and surgery for ulnar neuropathy around elbow was also performed simultaneously. Diagnostic ultrasound can be used for dynamic examinations with real-time visualization.

• Journal of Medicine and Life Science
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.101-104
• /
• 2018

Carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) is the most common entrapment neuropathy caused by focal compression of the median nerve in the carpal tunnel. However, many patients with CTS, who are diagnosed clinically and confirmed with electrophysiological studies, complain of the sensory symptoms extends to the ulnar nerve territory. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether a dysfunction in sensory fibers of the ulnar nerve was present or not in hands with CTS patients who had extramedian spread of sensory symptoms over the hand. We retrospectively analyzed the recording of the subjects who were diagnosed with CTS within a one-year-period of time. After exclusions, 136 hands recordings of 87 patient were included. We compared the results of median and ulnar nerve sensory conduction studies between normal hands and hands with CTS. We did not detect statistically significant difference on all parameters of ulnar nerve sensory conduction studies between the normal hands and the hands with CTS. The parameters of the obtained in median nerve sensory conduction studies were statistically different between the healthy control and CTS patients. The hands with CTS showed similar rate of ulnar sensory conduction abnormalities compared with the normal hands. In conclusion, our study showed that none of the parameters in ulnar sensory nerve conduction studies differ between two groups. Accordingly, our study revealed that ulnar nerve involvement does not contribute in CTS patients underlying the spread of paresthesia extends to the ulnar nerve territory.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.128-133
• /
• 2008

Nerve compression is caused by external force or internal pathology, which symptom develops along nerve distribution. There are median, ulnar and radial nerve compression neuropathies below elbow. Carpal tunnel syndrome at the flexor retinaculum is most common among all the entrapment neuropathies. Other causes of median nerve neuropathy include Struther's ligament, biceps aponeurosis, pronator teres, FDS aponeurosis and aberrant muscles, which induce pronator syndrome or anterior interosseous nerve syndrome. Ulnar nerve can be compressed at the elbow by arcade of Struther, medial epicondylar groove, FCU two heads, which develops cubital tunnel syndrome, at the wrist by ganglion, fracture of hamate hook and vascular problem, which develops Guyon's canal syndrome. Radial tunnel syndrome is caused by supinator muscle, which compresses its deep branch. Treatment is conservative at initial stage like NSAID, night splint or steroid injection. If symptom persists, operative treatment should be considered after electrodiagnostic or imaging studies.

• Clinics in Shoulder and Elbow
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.29-36
• /
• 2002

Purpose : Cubitus varus deformity has been reported to cause ulnar neuropathy. We present five cases of tardy ulnar nerve palsy due to cubitus vus and analyzed the factors related to the nerve plasy caused by the deformity. Materials and Methods : Three men and two women were reviewed retrospectively and the mean age of the patients were 26 (range, 14-38). The average interval from initial fracture to nerve palsy was 19 years (8-32 years). The severity of symptoms, according to McGowan's classification, was grade I of 2 patients, grade Ⅱ of 3 patients. Carrying angle was an average of 18。 (30° -45° ). Internal rotation angle measured by Yamamoto's method was an average of 33° (30° -45° ). Results ㆍ The mean follow-up period was 53 months (35-70 months). Elbow pain and numbness of the fingers were relieved shortly after surgery. It revealed that anterior subluxation of the nerve due to internal rotation deformity and compression of the nerve between the medially shifted medial head of triceps and the medial epicondyle. Conclusion : The major entrapment point of the nerve is the fibrous band between the two heads of the flexor carpi ulnaris. The severe internal rotation deformity may contribute the cause of tardy ulnar nerve palsy in cubitus varus deformity.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.382-387
• /
• 2007

Objective : Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity. Although many different operative techniques have been introduced, none of them have been proven superior to others. Simple cubital tunnel decompression has numerous advantages, including simplicity and safety. We present our experience of treating cubital tunnel syndrome with simple decompression in 15 patients. Methods : According to Dellon's criteria, one patient was classified as grade 1, eight as grade 2, and six as grade 3. Preoperative electrodiagnostic studies were performed in all patients and 7 of them were rechecked postoperatively. Five patients of 15 underwent simple decompression using a small skin incision (2 cm or less). Results : Preoperative mean value of motor conduction velocity (MCV) within the segment (above the elbow-below the elbow) was $41.8{\pm}15.2\;m/s$ and this result showed a decrease compared to the result of MCV in the below the elbow-wrist segment ($57.8{\pm}6.9\;m/s$) with statistical significance (p<0.05). Postoperative mean values of MCV were improved in 6 of 7 patients from $39.8{\pm}12.1\;m/s$ to $47.8{\pm}12.1\;m/s$ (p<0.05). After an average follow-up of $4.8{\pm}5.3$ months, 14 patients of 15 (93%) reported good or excellent clinical outcomes according to a modified Bishop scoring system. Five patients who had been treated using a small skin incision achieved good or excellent outcomes. There were no complications, recurrences, or subluxation of the ulnar nerve. Conclusion : Simple decompression of the ulnar nerve is an effective and successful minimally invasive technique for patients with cubital tunnel syndrome.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.66 no.1
• /
• pp.90-94
• /
• 2023

Objective : Cubital tunnel syndrome, the most common ulnar nerve entrapment neuropathy, is usually managed by simple decompression or anterior transposition. One of the concerns in transposition is damage to the nerve branches around the elbow. In this study, the location of ulnar nerve branches to the flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) was assessed during operations for cubital tunnel syndrome to provide information to reduce operation-related complications. Methods : A personal series (HJY) of cases operated for cubital tunnel syndrome was reviewed. Cases managed by transposition and location of branches to the FCU were selected for analysis. The function of the branches was confirmed by intraoperative nerve stimulation and the location of the branches was assessed by the distance from the center of medial epicondyle. Results : There was a total of 61 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, among which 31 were treated by transposition. Twenty-one cases with information on the location of branches were analyzed. The average number of ulnar nerve branches around the elbow was 1.8 (0 to 3), only one case showed no branches. Most of the cases had one branch to the medial head, and one other to the lateral head of the FCU. There were two cases having branches without FCU responses (one branch in one case, three branches in another). The location of the branches to the medial head was 16.3±8.6 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (16 branches; range, 0 to 35 mm), to the lateral head was 19.5±9.5 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (19 branches; range, -5 to 30 mm). Branches without FCU responses were found from 20 mm proximal to the medial condyle to 15 mm distal to the medial epicondyle (five branches). Most of the branches to the medial head were 15 to 20 mm (50% of cases), and most to the lateral head were 15 to 25 mm (58% of cases). There were no cases of discernable weakness of the FCU after operation. Conclusion : In most cases of cubital tunnel syndrome, there are ulnar nerve branches around the elbow. Although there might be some cases with branches without FCU responses, most branches are to the FCU, and are to be saved. The operator should be watchful for branches about 15 to 25 mm distal to the medial epicondyle, where most branches come out.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.125-132
• /
• 2002

Objectives : Although the diagnosis of hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (HNPP) is important for correct prognostic evaluation and genetic counseling, the diagnosis is frequently missed or delayed. Our main aim on undertaking this study was to characterize the electrodiagnostic features of HNPP. Material and Methods : Clinical, electrophysiologic and molecular studies were performed on Korean HNPP patients with 17p11.2 deletion. The results of electrophysiologic studies were compared with those of Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 1A (CMT1A) patients carrying 17p11.2 duplication. Results : Eight HNPP (50 motor, 39 sensory nerves) and six CMT1A (28 motor, 16 sensory nerves) patients were included. The slowing of sensory conduction in nearly all nerves and the distal accentuation of motor conduction abnormalities are the main features of background polyneuropathy in HNPP. In contrast to CMT1A, where severity of nerve conduction slowing was not different among nerve groups, HNPP sensory nerve conduction was more slowed in the median and ulnar nerves than in the sural nerve (p<0.01), and DML was more prolonged in the median nerve than in the other motor nerves (p<0.01). TLIs were significantly lower in HNPP than in the normal control and CMT1A patients for the median and ulnar nerves (p<0.01), and were also significantly reduced for the peroneal nerve (p<0.05) compared with those of the normal controls. Conclusion : The distribution and severity of the background electrophysiologic abnormalities are closely related to the topography of common entrapment or compression sites, which suggests the possible pathogenetic role of subclinical pressure injury at these sites in the development of the distinct background polyneuropathy in HNPP.