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Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Primary Decompression or Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow

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Abstract

Cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) results from compression of the ulnar nerve within its fibroosseous tunnel at the elbow. It is the second most common nerve entrapment syndrome (carpal tunnel syndrome being the most common). Knowledge of the pathoanatomy in this region can allow an appreciation of patients’ symptoms and nerve pathology. Numbness and tingling in the ulnar nerve distribution may be intermittent, constant and/or associated with weakness of the forearm or hand muscles. The severity of the neuropathy can, in addition to careful physical examination, be evaluated by electrodiagnostic studies (EDS) and imaging (ultrasound (US) or magnetic resonance imaging MRI) of the nerve at the elbow. Deformity or enlargement of the nerve, the stability of the nerve with elbow flexion and changes in the fascicular arrangement of the nerve on US can be consistent with clinical symptoms and may aid in the diagnosis and selection of a treatment plan.

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Correspondence to David G. Dennison .

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Dennison, D.G., Spinner, R.J. (2019). Cubital Tunnel Syndrome: Primary Decompression or Transposition of the Ulnar Nerve at the Elbow. In: Bartels, R., Rovers, M., Westert, G. (eds) Evidence for Neurosurgery. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16323-5_19

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-16323-5_19

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-030-16322-8

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-030-16323-5

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