BACKGROUND Ulnar neuropathy is a common reason for referral to hand surgeons, and 10 to 30% of cubital tunnel syndrome (CuTS) is idiopathic. We hypothesized that the cause of idiopathic CuTS is in the bony structure. METHODS We analyzed 79 elbows (39 idiopathic CuTS and 40 without CuTS symptom) using computed tomography and Materialize Mimics software to compare the differences between the two groups. We proposed a new bony cubital tunnel with a new boundary that could play a role in ulnar nerve compression symptom. RESULTS The mean cubital tunnel volume was 1245.6 mm3 in all patients, 1180.6 mm3 in CuTS patients, and 1282.3 mm3 in the control group. A significant difference (p = 0.015) between two groups was found. Bony cubital tunnel cross-sectional area, cubital tunnel depth, and cubital tunnel angle also showed significant differences. CONCLUSION The shape of the bony cubital tunnel is an important cause of CuTS, and the normal variation of the volume and cross-sectional area of the cubital tunnel and cubital tunnel angle could influence the occurrence of idiopathic CuTS.

中文翻译：

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电脑断层扫描测量和肘管形态学比较在特发性肘管综合征中的有效性。

背景技术尺神经病变是转诊至手外科医师的常见原因，肘管综合征（CuTS）的10％至30％是特发性的。我们假设特发性CuTS的原因在于骨结构。方法我们使用计算机断层扫描和Materialize Mimics软件分析了79个肘部（39个特发性CuTS和40个无CuTS症状），以比较两组之间的差异。我们提出了一条新的带新边界的骨肘管，它可能在尺神经压迫症状中起作用。结果所有患者的平均肘管容积为1245.6 mm3，CuTS患者为1180.6 mm3，对照组为1282.3 mm3。发现两组之间存在显着差异（p = 0.015）。骨性肘管横截面积，肘管深度和肘管角度也显示出显着差异。