Ch 5 - EDX: Upper Limb Mononeuropathy Flashcards
Describe the pathway of the median nerve in the upper arm.
Runs medial to the axillary artery, down the humerus and runs under the ligament of Struthers (LOS) at the medial epicondyle
What does the median nerve innervate in the forearm?
– Pronator teres (PT) – FCR – Palmaris longus – Flexor digitorum superficialis (FDS) – Palmar cutaneous branch – The AIN branches from the median nerve to innervate (four Ps): ■ Flexor pollicis longus (FPL) ■ Flexor digitorum profundus (FDP 1 and 2) ■ Pronator quadratus (PQ)
What does the median nerve innervate in the hand?
Through the carpal tunnel “LOAF” muscles: – Lumbricals (1, 2) – Opponens pollicis – Abductor pollicis brevis – Flexor pollicis brevis (superficial) – (Digital cutaneous branches)
What nerve and artery can be injured under the Ligament of Struthers (LOS)?
Median nerve and Brachial artery
What is the clinical presentation of nerve injury at the Ligament of Struthers?
Involvement of ALL median innervated muscles and loss of:
- Grip strength/ Benediction sign (FDS, FDP)
- Wrist flexion (FCR)
- Dull, aching in distal forearm
What is the bicipital aponeurosis?
Antebrachial fascia attaching biceps to the ulna
How can the median nerve be injured at the bicipital aponeurosis?
Entrapment or hematoma
compression resulting from an arterial blood gas or
venipuncture
What is pronator teres syndrome?
Median nerve compression between the heads of the PT muscle or the bridging fascial band of the FDS muscle
What is the clinical presentation of pronator teres syndrome?
All median innervated muscles EXCEPT PT involved
Dull ache of the proximal forearm exacerbated by forceful pronation (PT) or finger flexion (FDS). Forearm and hand muscles easily fatigued.
What is affected in AIN syndrome?
FPL, PQ, FDP 1, 2 weakness
The FPL is 1st muscle affected
What is the etiology of AIN syndrome?
Idiopathic process
Fracture of the forearm
Lacerations
Compression
What is the clinical presentation of AIN syndrome?
Pure motor syndrome
ABN “OK” sign
Difficulty forming a fist
What are the contents of the carpal tunnel?
Superficial layer -4 FDS tendons -1 FPL tendon -Median nerve -(FCR is outside the carpal tunnel) Deep layer -4 FDP tendons
What are different etiologies of carpal tunnel syndrome?
Inc canal volume: thyroid dz, CHF, renal failure, mass (tumor, hematoma), pregnancy (at 6 months and resolves postpartum).
Dec canal volume: fracture, arthritis, rheumatoid tenosynovitis.
Double crush syndrome: DM, cervical radiculopathy, TOS
Why are sensory NCS more sensitive than motor studies?
- Larger distribution of the large myelinated fibers, which are more susceptible to compression/ ischemia. - Antidromic studies produce larger amp
How does a demyelinating lesion in CTS present on EDX?
Slowing and prolongation of the distal motor and sensory latencies
How does a conduction block or axonal loss in CTS present on EDX?
Prolongation of the distal motor and sensory latencies
Dec distal CMAP and SNAP amp
How does CTS differ from peripheral neuropathy on EDX?
CTS: max slowing across the wrist
Peripheral neuropathy: distal segment more ABN
Describe EDX of mild CTS.
SNAP: Prolonged latency
CMAP: Normal
EMG: Normal
Describe EDX of moderate CTS.
SNAP: Prolonged latency, dec amp
CMAP: Prolonged latency
EMG: Normal
Describe EDX of severe CTS.
SNAP: absent
CMAP: Prolonged latency, dec amp
EMG: ABN activity
Describe the orthotic for mild CTS treatment.
Hand splint 0 to 30° neutral to extension
What are surgical indications for CTS?
Muscle atrophy
Severe pain
Severe median nerve damage
Profound muscle atrophy
What are indications of poor prognosis with CTS?
Sx > 10 mo Constant paresthesias \+ Phalen’s test < 10 sec Weakness, atrophy Prolonged latency on NCS ABN spontaneous activity
What is Martin-Gruber anastomosis?
AIN branch of the median nerve anastamose
w/ the ulnar nerve or proximal median nerve cross over to the ulnar nerve
What does Martin-Gruber anastomosis innervate?
ADP, ADM, and MC 1st DI muscles
How is Martin-Gruber anastomosis diagnosed on EDX?
Initial + deflection in CMAP and inc median amp at elbow but not at wrist
Artificially fast conduction velocity
What is a Riche-Cannieu anastomosis?
Connection of the recurrent branch of the median nerve in the hand to the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve
What does Riche-Cannieu anastomosis produce?
All ulnar innervated hand
How is Riche-Cannieu anastomosis diagnosed on EDX?
Recording over the APB, CMAP waveform is absent w/ median nerve stim but present with ulnar nerve stim
Describe the pathway of the ulnar nerve in the upper arm
Medial surface of the medial head of the triceps, runs w/in
Arcade of Struthers (AOS), continues posteriorly in a sulcus b/w the medial epicondyle and olecranon called the retrocondylar groove
What is the Arcade of Struthers (AOS)?
Fascial band in the medial arm that connects the brachialis to the triceps brachii
What does the ulnar nerve innervate in the forearm?
Flexor carpi ulnaris (FCU) FDP Palmar ulnar cutaneous nerve Dorsal ulnar cutaneous (DUC) nerve Dorsal digital nerves
Why is the dorsal ulnar cutaneous nerve normal in ulnar neuropathies at the wrist?
Does not travel through Guyon’s canal (arising 5–8 cm more
proximally)
Describe how the ulnar nerve branches and what it innervates in the hand.
Superficial sensory branch Hypothenar branch – Opponens digiti quinti – Abductor digiti quinti – Flexor digiti quinti Deep motor branch – Palmaris brevis – 4 Dorsal interossei—(“DAB”: Abduction) – 3 Palmar interossei—(“PAD”: Adduction) – 2 Lumbricals – 1 Adductor pollicis – 1/2 Flexor pollicis brevis (deep head)