Abstract
Ulnar tunnel syndrome indicates ulnar neuropathy at different sites within the wrist. Several classifications of ulnar tunnel syndrome are present in literature, based upon typical nerve anatomy. However, anatomical variations are not uncommon and can complicate assessment. The etiology is also complex, due to the numerous potential causes of entrapment. Clinical examination, neurophysiological testing, and imaging are all used to support the diagnosis. At present, many therapeutic approaches are available, ranging from observation to surgical management. Although ulnar neuropathy at the wrist has undergone extensive prior study, unresolved questions on diagnosis and treatment remain. In the current paper, we review relevant literature and present the current knowledge on ulnar tunnel syndrome.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Chen SH, Tsai TM (2014) Ulnar tunnel syndrome. J Hand Surg Am 39(3):571–579. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhsa.2013.08.102
Knutsen EJ, Calfee RP (2013) Uncommon upper extremity compression neuropathies. Hand Clin 29:443–453. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hcl.2013.04.014
Bachoura A, Jacoby SM (2012) Ulnar tunnel syndrome. Orthop Clin North Am 43:467–474. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocl.2012.07.016
Padua L, Coraci D, Erra C, Pazzaglia C, Paolasso I, Loreti C, Caliandro P, Hobson-Webb LD (2016) Carpal tunnel syndrome: clinical features, diagnosis, and management. Lancet Neurol 15(12):1273–1284. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1474-4422(16)30231-9
Caliandro P, La Torre G, Padua R, Giannini F, Padua L (2016) Treatment for ulnar neuropathy at the elbow. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 2016(11):CD006839. https://doi.org/10.1002/14651858.CD006839.pub4
Doneddu PE, Coraci D, De Franco P, Paolasso I, Caliandro P, Padua L (2016) Thoracic outlet syndrome: wide literature for few cases. Status of the art. Neurol Sci 38:383–388. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-016-2794-4
Doneddu PE, Coraci D, Loreti C, Piccinini G, Padua L (2017) Tarsal tunnel syndrome: still more opinions than evidence. Status of the art Neurol Sci 38(Jun 29):1735–1739. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-017-3039-x
Loreti C, Coraci D, Doneddu PE, Piccinini G, Giovannini S, Padua L (2017) Regarding “Current practice of thoracic outlet decompression surgery in the United States”. J Vasc Surg 66:1629–1630. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jvs.2017.07.102
Dibble CF, Ray WZ (2017) In reply: cubital tunnel syndrome: incidence and demographics in a National Administrative Database. Neurosurgery 81:E63
Garbino JA, Naafs B, Ura S, Salgado MH, Virmond M (2010) Neurophysiological patterns of ulnar nerve neuropathy in leprosy reactions. Lepr Rev 81:206–215
Moghtaderi A, Ghafarpoor M (2009) The dilemma of ulnar nerve entrapment at wrist in carpal tunnel syndrome. Clin Neurol Neurosurg 111:151–155. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clineuro.2008.09.012
Depukat P, Mizia E, Klosinski M, Dzikowska M, Klimek-Piotrowska W, Mazur M, Kuniewicz M, Bonczar T (2014) Anatomy of Guyon’s canal—a systematic review. Folia Med Cracov 54:81–86
Hoogvliet P, Coert JH, Fridén J, Huisstede BM, European HANDGUIDE group (2013) How to treat Guyon’s canal syndrome? Results from the European HANDGUIDE study: a multidisciplinary treatment guideline. Br J Sports Med 47:1063–1070. https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2013-092280
Shen L, Masih S, Patel DB, Matcuk GR Jr (2016) MR anatomy and pathology of the ulnar nerve involving the cubital tunnel and Guyon’s canal. Clin Imaging 40:263–274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clinimag.2015.11.008
Depukat P, Mizia E, Kuniewicz M, Bonczar T, Mazur M, Pełka P, Mróz I, Lipski M, Tomaszewski K (2015) Syndrome of canal of Guyon—definition, diagnosis, treatment and complication. Folia Med Cracov 55:17–23
Earp BE, Floyd WE, Louie D, Koris M, Protomastro P (2014) Ulnar nerve entrapment at the wrist. J Am Acad Orthop Surg 22:699–706. https://doi.org/10.5435/JAAOS-22-11-699
Xing SG, Tang JB (2014) Entrapment neuropathy of the wrist, forearm, and elbow. Clin Plast Surg 41:561–588. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cps.2014.03.007
Cartwright MS, Walker FO (2013) Neuromuscular ultrasound in common entrapment neuropathies. Muscle Nerve 48:696–704. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.23900
Claassen H, Schmitt O, Schulze M, Wree A (2013) Variation in the hypothenar muscles and its impact on ulnar tunnel syndrome. Surg Radiol Anat 35:893–899. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-013-1113-5
Werner RA (2013) Electrodiagnostic evaluation of carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathies. PM R 5:S14–S21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmrj.2013.03.027
Landau ME, Campbell WW (2012) Clinical features and electrodiagnosis of ulnar neuropathies. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 24:49–66. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pmr.2012.08.019.
Gottschalk HP, Bindra RR (2012) Late reconstruction of ulnar nerve palsy. Orthop Clin North Am 43:495–507. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ocl.2012.08.001
Porteous R, Harish S, Parasu N (2012) Imaging of ulnar-sided wrist pain. Can Assoc Radiol J 63:18–29. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.carj.2010.07.007
Uzel AP, Bulla A, Joye ML, Caix P (2012) Variation of the proximal insertion of the abductor digiti minimi muscle: correlation with Guyon’s canal syndrome? Case report and literature review. Morphologie 96:44–50. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.morpho.2012.07.001
Jacobson JA, Fessell DP, Lobo Lda G, Yang LJ (2010) Entrapment neuropathies I: upper limb (carpal tunnel excluded). Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 14:473–486. https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0030-1268068
Yalinay Dikmen P, Oge AE, Yazici J (2010) Short segment incremental study in ulnar neuropathy at the wrist: report of three cases and review of the literature. Acta Neurol Belg 110:78–83
Muramatsu K, Tanaka H, Taguchi T (2008) Peripheral neuropathies of the forearm and hand in rheumatoid arthritis: diagnosis and options for treatment. Rheumatol Int 28:951–957. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00296-008-0630-8
Waugh RP, Pellegrini VD Jr (2007) Ulnar tunnel syndrome. Hand Clin 23: 301–310.
Coraci D, Luchetti R, Paolasso I, Santilli V, Padua L (2015) Intermittent ulnar nerve compression due to accessory abductor digiti minimi muscle: crucial diagnostic role of nerve ultrasound. Muscle Nerve 2015 52:463–464. https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.24660
Acknowledgements
We would like to thank Dr. Lisa Hobson-Webb for language editing.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Ethics declarations
Conflict of interest
The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Coraci, D., Loreti, C., Piccinini, G. et al. Ulnar neuropathy at wrist: entrapment at a very “congested” site. Neurol Sci 39, 1325–1331 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-018-3446-7
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10072-018-3446-7