Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Radial Nerve Injuries Associated with Pediatric Chronic Monteggia Lesions.

INTRODUCTION: To determine the ultrasonographic evaluation of radial nerve (RN) before correction of chronic pediatric Monteggia lesions in patients with suspected nerve injury.

METHOD: Twelve consecutive children with Monteggia lesions were investigated. The cross-sectional area (CSA) of the nerve and nerve to skin (N-S) distance were determined by ultrasonography at three levels: 5 cm proximal to humeroradial joint (L_prox), horizontal line through humeroradial joint (L_mid), and 2.5 cm distal to humeroradial joint (L_dist).

RESULTS: The CSA was greater on the injured side than on the unaffected side at L_prox and at L_mid (P<0.01), but no difference was noted for posterior interosseous nerve (PIN) at L_dist (P=0.445). The N-S values were greater on the unaffected side than on the injured side (P<0.01), but they had no difference at L_dist in superficial RN and PIN.

DISCUSSION: Ultrasonography enabled the preoperative assessment of the severity of RN injuries in chronic pediatric Monteggia lesions. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.