32 / 2017-07-04 22:39:00

The cubital tunnel syndrome caused by the intraneural or epineural ganglion cysts- cases report and review of the literature.

Cubital tunnel syndrome,peripheral nerve compression,the arcade of struthers,intraneural ganglia,extraneural ganglia

Cubital tunnel syndrome is the second most common nerve compression syndrome in peripheral nerve compression disease. Although potential ulnar nerve entrapment can occur multiple points along its course, such as the arcade of struthers, the medial intermuscular septum, the medial epicondyle, the cubital tunnel and the deep flexor pronator aponeurosis. The most common site of entrapment is the cubital tunnel. However, cubital tunnel syndrome could also be caused by the occupying masses along the course of ulnar nerve, such as intraneural or extraneural ganglia. The cubital tunnel syndrome caused by intraneural or extraneural ganglion cysts has been rarely reported. In our hospital, there are 184 cases of cubital tunnel syndrome which have experienced surgical treatment from January 2010 to January 2014. Of these cases, there are 16 cases with extraneural cysts, 3 cases of intraneural ganglion cysts. The incidence rate of cysts in the cubital tunnel is 10.33%. Electromyography were used as routine examination. Ultrasound was only used in some cases which elbow mass was suspected. Intra-operatively, if only any cysts were found which should be removed completely and the ulnar nerve was decompressed thoroughly with the ulnar nerve anterior transposition. These cysts were confirmed by histopathological examination. Finally, we compared the clinical features of patients who had a medial elbow ganglion with those of patients who had only cubital tunnel syndrome. B ultrasound can significantly improve the diagnosis. All patients were followed up for 4 months to 2 years, the curative effect was good.