Morphology and dynamics of the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. Observation by ultrasonography

Abstract

We examined 200 normal elbows to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in examining the ulnar nerve in the cubital tunnel. On longitudinal images in elbow extension, the nerve changed its course at the fibrous band region 11.5 (SD 2.8) mm distal to the medial epicondyle. On axial images, the diameter of the major axis of the nerve was 3.1 (0.5) mm and that of the minor axis was 1.9 (0.4) mm in men. The respective values were 2.7 (0.4) mm and 1.8 (0.4) mm in women. Dynamic studies showed that in 53 elbows (27%), the nerve moved on to the tip of the epicondyle with the elbow flexed and in 39 elbows (20%), the nerve dislocated anteriorly. The diameters of the hypermobile nerves were significantly larger than nerves that did not displace.