Human Ulnar Neuropathy at the Elbow: Clinical, Electrical, and Morphometric Correlations

ABSTRACT

This study explored and compared clinical, electrodiagnostic, and morphometric observations on bilateral ulnar nerves obtained at necropsy in a patient with severe bilateral ulnar compression neuropathy at the elbow. There was excellent correlation among all three evaluation techniques. On the patient's more symptomatic side, there was significant slowing of conduction velocity across the elbow, with sensory conduction unobtainable in the little finger. Morphometric results demonstrated loss of myelin, decreased nerve fiber diameter, and reduction in percent of neural tissue present in the compressed elbow segment of the ulnar nerve.