Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome

Ultrasound imaging (US) is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in stiffness (shear modulus), cross-sectional area (CSA), and trace length (TRACE) of the ulnar nerve in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS),...

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Main Authors: Tomasz Wolny, César Fernández-de-las-Peñas, Arkadiusz Granek, Paweł Linek
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2022-10-01
Series:Sensors
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/21/8354
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author Tomasz Wolny
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Arkadiusz Granek
Paweł Linek
author_facet Tomasz Wolny
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Arkadiusz Granek
Paweł Linek
author_sort Tomasz Wolny
collection DOAJ
description Ultrasound imaging (US) is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in stiffness (shear modulus), cross-sectional area (CSA), and trace length (TRACE) of the ulnar nerve in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), with shear wave elastography (SWE). A total of 31 patients with CuTS were included. CSA, shear modulus, and TRACE examinations were performed in the SWE mode in four positions of the elbow: full extension, 45° flexion, 90° flexion, and maximum flexion. There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve elasticity value at 45°, 90°, and maximal elbow flexion (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001) but not at elbow extension (<i>p</i> = 0.36). There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve CSA value at each elbow position (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001). There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve trace value at each elbow position (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The symptomatic ulnar nerve in patients with CuTS exhibited greater stiffness (shear modulus), CSA, and TRACE values, compared with the asymptomatic side. US examinations (shear modulus, CSA, and TRACE evaluation) of the ulnar nerve can be helpful in supporting and supplementing the diagnosis in patients with CuTS.
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spelling doaj.art-77c7e8b01aa84615bfab80b6387537302023-11-24T06:46:42ZengMDPI AGSensors1424-82202022-10-012221835410.3390/s22218354Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel SyndromeTomasz Wolny0César Fernández-de-las-Peñas1Arkadiusz Granek2Paweł Linek3Musculoskeletal Elastography and Ultrasonography Laboratory, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Mikołowska 72A, 40-065 Katowice, PolandDepartment of Physical Therapy, Occupational Therapy, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, 28922 Madrid, SpainHospital of the Ministry of Interior and Administration, 25-316 Kielce, PolandMusculoskeletal Elastography and Ultrasonography Laboratory, Institute of Physiotherapy and Health Sciences, The Jerzy Kukuczka Academy of Physical Education, Mikołowska 72A, 40-065 Katowice, PolandUltrasound imaging (US) is increasingly being used in the diagnosis of entrapment neuropathies. The aim of the current study was to evaluate changes in stiffness (shear modulus), cross-sectional area (CSA), and trace length (TRACE) of the ulnar nerve in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS), with shear wave elastography (SWE). A total of 31 patients with CuTS were included. CSA, shear modulus, and TRACE examinations were performed in the SWE mode in four positions of the elbow: full extension, 45° flexion, 90° flexion, and maximum flexion. There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve elasticity value at 45°, 90°, and maximal elbow flexion (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001) but not at elbow extension (<i>p</i> = 0.36). There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve CSA value at each elbow position (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001). There were significant side-to-side differences in the ulnar nerve trace value at each elbow position (all, <i>p</i> < 0.001). The symptomatic ulnar nerve in patients with CuTS exhibited greater stiffness (shear modulus), CSA, and TRACE values, compared with the asymptomatic side. US examinations (shear modulus, CSA, and TRACE evaluation) of the ulnar nerve can be helpful in supporting and supplementing the diagnosis in patients with CuTS.https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/21/8354ultrasound imagingshear-wave elastographycubital tunnel syndromeultrasoundentrapment neuropathyrehabilitative ultrasound imaging
spellingShingle Tomasz Wolny
César Fernández-de-las-Peñas
Arkadiusz Granek
Paweł Linek
Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
Sensors
ultrasound imaging
shear-wave elastography
cubital tunnel syndrome
ultrasound
entrapment neuropathy
rehabilitative ultrasound imaging
title Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_full Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_fullStr Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_full_unstemmed Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_short Changes in Ultrasound Measurements of the Ulnar Nerve at Different Elbow Joint Positions in Patients with Cubital Tunnel Syndrome
title_sort changes in ultrasound measurements of the ulnar nerve at different elbow joint positions in patients with cubital tunnel syndrome
topic ultrasound imaging
shear-wave elastography
cubital tunnel syndrome
ultrasound
entrapment neuropathy
rehabilitative ultrasound imaging
url https://www.mdpi.com/1424-8220/22/21/8354
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