Application Research Of Cubital Tunnel In MRI

Objective1.To investigate the site,MRI signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve in cubital tunnel for healthy adults,in order to improve the awareness of ulnar nerve on MRI.2.To explore the value of the MRI for cubital tunnel syndrome.Materials and Methods1.Unilateral elbow of forty healthy volunteers(age range:26-36 years,no elbow discomfort,no elbow injury and operation history,no elbow pain,without a history of systemic diseases such as rheumatism,diatetes,nervous system and with no contraindications of MRI)were scanned with MRI(T1-weighted-SE,T2-weighted-SE-Fat-Suppression,PD-weighted-SE-Fat-Suppression),among 40,13 were supine,27 were prone.The site and MRI signal types and morphological characteristics of ulnar nerve were observed,the long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve on different axials were respectively measured.2.Eighteen patients with cubital tunnel syndrome were collected,diagnosed clinically by physical examination and electrophysiological examination for elbow ulnar nerve injury.Compare eighteen patients and twenty healthy volunteers by morphology and signal characteristics of ulnar nerve,then follow-up assessment was made,and contrast analysis was made between MRI apperance and intraoperative situation of the ulnar nerve.Results1.On axial,ulnar nerve was posterior to the medial condyle of the humerus at proximal elbow,lied between the flexor carpi ulnaris and the flexor digitorum profunds and superficialis muscles distally.The shape of the ulnar nerve was roundness or elliptic,the signal of ulnar nerve was isointensity on T1-weighted,slight hyperintense or isointense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,about 57.5%the MRI signal of ulnar nerve was slight hyperintense on T2-weighted or PD-weighted,especially on the axial of medial condyle of humerus.The variation range of long diameter and short diameter of the ulnar nerve were 1.4-3.8 mm,1.0-3.0 mm respectively.2.The mean ulnar nerve size in the patients and normal groups was 0.15 and 0.06cm2(P<0.001).The mean relative signal intensity in the patients and normal groups was 2.86 and 1.57(P<0.01).Among eighteen patients:thirteen are operated with ulnar nerve decompression,five with conservative treatment.Conclusion1.The certain location,MRI signal types and morphological characteristics of normal ulnar nerve play an important role in the diagnosis of cubital tunnel syndrome.2.Ulnar nerve size and signal intensity were greater in patients with ulnar neuropathy.MRI is a useful test in evaluating ulnar neuropathy at the elbow.