Ultrasonography versus Electrodiagnostic Studies in Assessment of Ulnar Neuropathy in Patients with Rheumatoid Arthritis

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

1 Rheumatology and Rehabilitation department, Faculty of medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

2 Rheumatology and Rehabilitation department, Faculty of medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt

3 Rheumatology and Rehabilitation Department, Faculty of Medicine, Al-Azhar University, Cairo, Egypt.

https://doi.org/10.21608/aimj.2025.446509

Abstract

Abstract
 
Background: Ulnar nerve entrapment at the elbow (UNE) is a common complication of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Timely diagnosis and intervention are essential to mitigate the risk of long-term complications.
Aim and objectives: To compare electrodiagnostic investigations (EDX) with neuromuscular ultrasonography for diagnosing ulnar neuropathy in RA patients.
Patients and methods: The study included 60 individuals with RA, divided into two groups. Thirty RA patients had symptoms and evidence of ulnar neuropathy, while 30 did not. All patients had clinical, ultrasonographic, and electrodiagnostic tests.
Results: RA patients with ulnar neuropathy had higher disease activity scores, abnormal nerve conduction studies (NCS), including delayed distal motor latency and slow conduction velocity, and significant enlargement of the ultrasound-measured ulnar nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) at the elbow.
Conclusion: In RA patients, both electrodiagnostic tests and neuromuscular ultrasound are efficient in identifying ulnar nerve neuropathy. The higher ultrasonographic ulnar nerve CSA at the medial epicondyle in RA patients with ulnar neuropathy emphasizes the usefulness of these diagnostic methods.
 
 

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