Abstract
Ultrasonographic study is useful for decision making of treatment for focal neuropathy with unusual electrodiagnostic findings. We present a patient with severe acute radial neuropathy with sensory sparing around the distal arm secondary to twisting of the radial nerve following blunt trauma. A 24-year-old man with a 2-week history of left wrist drop and severe pain around the left elbow presented after hitting the left distal arm on the doorknob. The left wrist and finger extensions were grade 0, but elbow extension could not be tested because of severe pain during this action. The left superficial radial sensory territory was intact. Electrodiagnostic findings suggested severe left radial neuropathy around the distal arm with sensory sparing. Ultrasonographic study demonstrated 2 stenotic lesions around the distal arm and absence of the left superficial radial sensory nerve. Surgical exploration revealed 2 stenotic lesions with twisting of the nerve, concordant with ultrasonographic study. End-to-end anastomosis was performed in the proximal lesion. Sixteen months later, wrist and finger extension was grade 3, and reinnervation signs in the radial-innervated muscles except extensor indicis muscle were observed. The complementary relationship between electrophysiologic and ultrasonographic examinations is very important for precise lesion location and decision making for treatment of peripheral nerve injury.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | e177-e182 |
Journal | American Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation |
Volume | 95 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - 2016 Nov 1 |
Bibliographical note
Publisher Copyright:Copyright © 2016 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.
Keywords
- Neuropathy
- Radial nerve
- Surgery
- Trauma
- Ultrasonography
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Rehabilitation
- Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation