A rare case of a punched nerve syndrome of the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve

Arch Orthop Trauma Surg. 2015 Jun;135(6):891-3. doi: 10.1007/s00402-015-2216-8. Epub 2015 Apr 7.

Abstract

Introduction: Peripheral compression neuropathy of the ulnar nerve is a frequent condition, most likely encountered at the ulnar sulcus or the Guyon's canal. High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) can often identify the site of injury. Primarily idiopathic, compression neuropathy can stem from a punched nerve syndrome, in which direct contact between an arterial branch and the nerve leads to compression.

Materials and methods: A 42-year-old male patient was examined by means of HRUS using a 17-5 MHz linear transducer on a Philips iU22(®) (Philips, Bothell, Washington, USA).

Results: After reporting a punched nerve syndrome of the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve distal to the Guyon's canal, the patient underwent surgery and showed electrophysiological and clinical improvement 6 months after decompression.

Conclusion: HRUS is a viable method to demonstrate a punched nerve syndrome. In conjunction with clinical presentation, even unlikely sites of compression such as the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve can be identified.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Decompression, Surgical / methods*
  • Electrodiagnosis
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / etiology*
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / surgery
  • Ulnar Nerve / physiopathology*