Cycling-Related Compressive Neuropathy of the Deep Ulnar Motor Branch in the Hand: Is Sonography a Valid Tool?

Abstract

Repetitive vibratory trauma in cyclists is one of the most common causes of ulnar nerve compression at the wrist. This study describes five cases of clinically suspected compression syndrome of the deep terminal branch of the ulnar nerve (DBUN) defined by high-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) with a 18-MHz linear transducer. Reliable HRUS visualization of the DBUN was feasible in all patients. The affected nerves had focally swollen and hypo-echoic changed segments. HRUS is a good imaging tool for the evaluation of a suspicious DBUN neuropathy if no electrodiagnostic testing is available or in patients with mild to moderate clinical symptoms with inconclusive electrodiagnostic results.

Keywords: Compression neuropathy; Deep terminal branch of the ulnar nerve; High-resolution ultrasound; Neuropathy of the ulnar nerve; Ulnar nerve.