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Analysis of the position of the branches of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal using high-resolution MRI in positions adopted by cyclists

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Abstract

Purpose

To study variations in the anatomical relationships of the branches of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal relative to the hamulus of hamate (HH) in a grip encountered among cyclists.

Materials and methods

Forty-seven wrist examinations were performed on a 3-T MRI (soft antenna, 16 channels) in propeller sequence in the plane perpendicular to the carpus in 28 healthy volunteers in three cycling positions (neutral, hyperextension and ulnar deviation). The positions and distance between the superficial (SB) and deep (DB) branches of the ulnar nerve with respect to the HH were determined on the section passing through the HH.

Results

The mean distances between the SB (d s) and DP (d p) and HH were 2.4 and 0.6 mm, respectively. The d s in hyperextension and ulnar deviation were 2.2 mm (P = 0.3) and 3 mm (P = 0.07), respectively. The d p in hyperextension and ulnar deviation were 0.3 mm (P = 0.02) and 0.5 mm (P = 0.15), respectively. Hyperextended, 60 % of SB and 40 % of DB were close to the HH, and 26 % of DB came directly in contact with it. In ulnar deviation, 30 % of SB and 29 % of DB approached HH, and 47 % of DB were in contact with it.

Conclusion

This study shows that SB and DB positions of the ulnar nerve vary with respect to the HH depending on the position of the wrist, and such differences may promote Guyon’s canal syndrome in cyclists.

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Acknowledgments

We would like to thank Professor Xavier Demondion for his guidance and valuable advice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Guilloz Imaging Department, CHU Nancy - Hôpital Central, Rue du Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny, 54000, Nancy, France

    Aymeric Rauch, Pedro Augusto Gondim Teixeira, Romain Gillet, Charles Lombard & Alain Blum

  2. Anatomy Department, Faculty of Medicine, 9 Avenue de la Forêt de Haye, 54500, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Manuela Perez

  3. ESPRI-BioBase Unit, CHU Nancy - Hôpitaux de Brabois, Allée du Morvan, 54500, Vandoeuvre-Les-Nancy, France

    Isabelle Clerc-Urmes

Authors
  1. Aymeric Rauch
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  2. Pedro Augusto Gondim Teixeira
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  3. Romain Gillet
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  4. Manuela Perez
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  5. Isabelle Clerc-Urmes
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  6. Charles Lombard
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  7. Alain Blum
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Correspondence to Aymeric Rauch.

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Rauch, A., Teixeira, P.A.G., Gillet, R. et al. Analysis of the position of the branches of the ulnar nerve in Guyon’s canal using high-resolution MRI in positions adopted by cyclists. Surg Radiol Anat 38, 793–799 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1612-7

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-015-1612-7

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