Normal Recordings of Medial Antebrachial Cutaneous Nerve, and Recordings of Plexus lesions and Ulnar Nerves at Different levels

Abstract

Background: Medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve (MACN) arises from the medial portion of brachial plexus. It is a pure sensorial nerve. Nerve fibres consists of C8-T1 fibres. Nerve conduction is measured by antidromic and orthodromic methods (Pribyl's method). The nerve conduction studies are significant in peripheral neuropathy, local neuropathies, entrapment neuropathies (cubital tunnel syndrome) and brachial plexopathies. Objective: In this study we aimed to differentiate C8-T1 root, inferior truncus and medial of brachial cord lesions and ulnar nerve lesions. Material and Methods: In our study we have taken 35 patients referred to our EMG laboratory with the possible diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy and carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). But their electrophysiologic assesment were normal so the patients had taken as normal control group. In the pathologic group; we have taken patients who have diagnosis of brachial plexopathy, ulnar nerve lesions and cubital tunnel syndrome.
Results: in normal control group nerve conduction is measured. MAC nerve conduction was normal in both sides. In pathologic group the patients who have diagnosis of brachial plexus lesions, the MACN action potential could not be measured at the pathologic side but in the cubital tunnel syndrome and ulnar nerve lesion group; it could be measured. Conclusion: As a summary we think that measuring conduction of nerve medial antebrachial cutaneous is technically easy, for that reason, it can be used as an alternative technique while making the distinctive diagnosis among ulnar nerve, inferior truncus of brachial plexus and
medial cord lesions.