Isolated Unilateral Ulnar Motor Neuropathy at Wrist- A Case Report

Abstract

The ulnar nerve compression neuropathy commonly occurs around the elbow; however, focal compression or injury can also occur at the wrist, axilla, or neck involving the roots of the brachial plexus. Ulnar neuropathy at the wrist is caused by the compression of the ulnar nerve within Guyon’s canal or distal to it, often referred to as ‘ulnar tunnel syndrome.’ It can manifest as mixed, pure sensory, or pure motor neuropathy depending on the specific site of compression and the branches involved. This case report of 21 years old male patient, a college student, discusses the clinical and electrodiagnostic features of a case involving unilateral isolated pure motor neuropathy of the ulnar nerve. The onset of the case was insidious and subacute, characterised by painless and non-progressive symptoms with no history of trauma or injury to the affected limb. The Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS) were conducted, indicating probable compression of the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve distal to the wrist. The patient was subsequently referred for highresolution Ultrasonography (USG) or Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI). Cases of ulnar neuropathy at the wrist are quite rare, and there is limited literature available on this topic.

Keywords

• motor loss
• neurophysiological finding
• ulnar neuropathy
• ulnar tunnel syndrome