Study of ulnar nerve normal value measurment by high frequency ultrasonography

Objective To measure the cross-sectional area(CSA) value of ulnar nerve by high frequency ultrasonography,and to explore its relationship with surrounding tissues,in order to provide evidence for diagnosis of peripheral nerve disease.Method The ultrasounic images of ulnar nerve of 200 volunteers were got by high-resolution ultrasonography,and CSA of ulnar nerve were measured at predetermined sites.Results The upper limb nerve was a mesh-like low echo images.the cross section of nerve was round,oval,or triangular The CSA of ular nerve at different points.were obtained:the cubital tunnel(6.35 ± 1.48)mm2;cubital tunnel outlet(6.20 ± 1.33) mm2;cubital tunnel inlet(6.30 ± 1.40)mm2;Upon the medial epicondyle(5.78 ± 1.34)mm2,mid-humerus(mid-point between elbow crease and axilla,MH(5.68 ± 1.31)mm2;8 cm under the medial epicondyle(5.71 ± 1.26)mm2;6cm upon the wrist crease(5.06 ± 1.30) mm2,Guyon tunnel(4.71 ± 1.16) mm2.While CSA at cubital tunnel outlet,cubital tunnel inlet,WCP 6 cm and Guyon tunnel were statistically significant between men and women in the same age group.Ular nerve upon the medial epicondyle,at mid-humerus,WCP 6 cm and Guyon tunnel were thicker in elderly group than in young group.The maximum correlation coefficients was 0.47(P 0.01) between CSA with weight,and 0.45(P 0.01) with height.Conclusions The ulnar nerve is easily visualized along its entire course.The normal values at different sites are significant different,and significant different,between sexes and ages.The nerve size is positively correlated with height and weight.