We have located links that may give you full text access.
Cubital tunnel syndrome associated with medial elbow Ganglia and osteoarthritis of the elbow.
BACKGROUND: Medial elbow ganglia have been reported in association with cubital tunnel syndrome. This lesion is thought to occur rarely and has not been emphasized in the literature. The purposes of the present study are to report our experience with this lesion in order to elucidate its prevalence as well as its clinical and radiographic features, to describe our operative findings, and to present the results of surgical treatment.
METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-seven elbows in 472 patients were treated for cubital tunnel syndrome between 1980 and 1999. We performed a retrospective study of the thirty-eight patients who had a medial ganglion. All of the ganglia were excised, and the ulnar nerve was translocated subcutaneously. Thirty-two patients were followed for a mean of thirty-seven months.
RESULTS: Medial elbow ganglion was the third most common causative factor associated with cubital tunnel syndrome, with an overall prevalence of 8%. Resting pain in the medial aspect of the elbow was reported by twenty-five of the thirty-eight patients, and a sudden onset of numbness in the ring and little fingers or of medial elbow pain without prior symptoms was reported by twenty-nine patients. The symptoms lasted two months or less in thirty-one patients. All ganglia originated from the medial aspect of the ulnohumeral joint, and radiographs of that joint showed degenerative changes in thirty-seven patients. At the time of follow-up, all measurements of sensory and motor function of the ulnar nerve had improved and no recurrence of nerve palsy was found.
CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, medial elbow ganglia have a strong association with osteoarthritis of the elbow and can cause a relatively acute onset of cubital tunnel syndrome. A patient with cubital tunnel syndrome associated with elbow osteoarthritis who complains of medial elbow pain or severe numbness within two months after the onset of the syndrome should be strongly suspected of having a ganglion. Most ganglia are occult, and ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can assist in the preoperative diagnosis. Careful excision of the ganglion performed concurrently with subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve can produce satisfactory results.
METHODS: Four hundred and eighty-seven elbows in 472 patients were treated for cubital tunnel syndrome between 1980 and 1999. We performed a retrospective study of the thirty-eight patients who had a medial ganglion. All of the ganglia were excised, and the ulnar nerve was translocated subcutaneously. Thirty-two patients were followed for a mean of thirty-seven months.
RESULTS: Medial elbow ganglion was the third most common causative factor associated with cubital tunnel syndrome, with an overall prevalence of 8%. Resting pain in the medial aspect of the elbow was reported by twenty-five of the thirty-eight patients, and a sudden onset of numbness in the ring and little fingers or of medial elbow pain without prior symptoms was reported by twenty-nine patients. The symptoms lasted two months or less in thirty-one patients. All ganglia originated from the medial aspect of the ulnohumeral joint, and radiographs of that joint showed degenerative changes in thirty-seven patients. At the time of follow-up, all measurements of sensory and motor function of the ulnar nerve had improved and no recurrence of nerve palsy was found.
CONCLUSIONS: Although uncommon, medial elbow ganglia have a strong association with osteoarthritis of the elbow and can cause a relatively acute onset of cubital tunnel syndrome. A patient with cubital tunnel syndrome associated with elbow osteoarthritis who complains of medial elbow pain or severe numbness within two months after the onset of the syndrome should be strongly suspected of having a ganglion. Most ganglia are occult, and ultrasonography and magnetic resonance imaging can assist in the preoperative diagnosis. Careful excision of the ganglion performed concurrently with subcutaneous anterior transposition of the ulnar nerve can produce satisfactory results.
Full text links
Related Resources
Trending Papers
Heart failure with preserved ejection fraction: diagnosis, risk assessment, and treatment.Clinical Research in Cardiology : Official Journal of the German Cardiac Society 2024 April 12
Proximal versus distal diuretics in congestive heart failure.Nephrology, Dialysis, Transplantation 2024 Februrary 30
Efficacy and safety of pharmacotherapy in chronic insomnia: A review of clinical guidelines and case reports.Mental Health Clinician 2023 October
World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification of eosinophilic disorders: 2024 update on diagnosis, risk stratification, and management.American Journal of Hematology 2024 March 30
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app
All material on this website is protected by copyright, Copyright © 1994-2024 by WebMD LLC.
This website also contains material copyrighted by 3rd parties.
By using this service, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy.
Your Privacy Choices
You can now claim free CME credits for this literature searchClaim now
Get seemless 1-tap access through your institution/university
For the best experience, use the Read mobile app