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. 2020 Mar 14;54(Suppl 1):188-192.
doi: 10.1007/s43465-020-00084-9. eCollection 2020 Sep.

Morphology of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve with Regard to Entrapment Syndrome

Gloria Maria Hohenberger #  1 , Angelika Maria Schwarz #  2 , Peter Grechenig  3 , Marco Johannes Maier  4 , Ulrike Schwarz  3 , Sabine Kuchling  1 , Axel Gänsslen  5 , Andreas Heinrich Weiglein  3
Affiliations

Morphology of the Posterior Interosseous Nerve with Regard to Entrapment Syndrome

Gloria Maria Hohenberger et al. Indian J Orthop. .

Abstract

Background: Posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) entrapment syndrome is a rare condition and is predisposed by anatomical factors such as narrow passages through fibrous arcades; whereas, the Arcade of Frohse (AF) is the most common entrapment point. The aim of this study was to evaluate the entrance and exit points of the PIN into the supinator in detail.

Materials and methods: One hundred unpaired upper extremities underwent dissection. The PIN's entrance and exit points from the supinator were depicted. The distances between the tip of the radial head (RH) and the AF and the exit point of the PIN from the supinator were measured. Further, it was checked if the borders of the AF and the exit point were muscular, tendinous or a combination of these.

Results: The interval between the PIN's entry into the supinator and the tip of the RH was at a mean of 28.9 mm. Concerning the border of the AF, in 54 cases a muscular and in 46 specimens a tendinous version could be observed. The interval between the exit point of the PIN and the tip of the RH proved to be at a mean of 64.2 mm. Further, the exit's border was muscular in 65 specimens and tendinous in 35 cases.

Conclusion: During surgical treatment of the PIN syndrome, it needs to be kept in mind that approximately one-third of all patients might also suffer from entrapment at the exit point of the PIN.

Keywords: Arcade of Frohse; Posterior interosseous nerve; Posterior interosseous nerve syndrome; Supinator.

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Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interestThe authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Muscular Arcade of Frohse in an anatomic specimen
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Arcade of Frohse including tendinous border
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
Exit of the posterior interosseous nerve via muscular border
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Tendinous exit point of the posterior interosseous nerve
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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