• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.84-88
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• 2009

Purpose: Compression of the ulnar nerve in the ulnar tunnel is a relatively uncommon condition. Many authors have described several etiologies of ulnar nerve compression. We experienced two cases of ulnar nerve compression in the ulnar tunnel due to an anomalous pulsatile S - shaped ulnar artery. Methods: Case 1: A 51 - year - old man was referred with numbness and paroxysmal tingling sensation along the volar side of the ring and little fingers of his right hand for 6 months. When exploration, the ulnar artery was pulsatile S - shaped and was impinging on the ulnar nerve. To decompress the ulnar nerve, the tortuous ulnar artery was mobilized and translocated radially onto the adjacent fibrous tissue. Case 2: A 41 - year - old man was referred with tingling sensation on the 4 th, 5 th finger of the right hand for 4 months. Sensory nerve conduction velocities of the ulnar nerve was delayed. Preoperative 3D angio CT scan showed an anomalous S - shaped ulnar artery. Same operation was done. Results: The postoperative course was uneventful. After decompression, paroxysmal tingling sensation decreased to less than 1 minute per episode, occurring 1 - 2 times a day. After 4 months, they had no more episodes of numbness and tingling sensation. Examination demonstrated good sensation to pinprick and touch on the ulnar aspect of the hand. Conclusion: We report two cases of ulnar nerve compressive neuropathy that was caused by an anomalous pulsatile S - shaped ulnar artery in the ulnar tunnel. Although this is an unusual cause of ulnar nerve compression, the symptoms will not spontaneously resolve. The prompt relief of compressive neuropathic symptoms following the translocation of the impinging ulnar artery from the affected ulnar nerve onto adjacent tissue proved that the ulnar nerve compression is due to the anomalous vessel.

• 대한한의학회지
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• 제26권1호
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• pp.11-17
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• 2005

This study was carried out to identify the components of the human heart meridian muscle, the regional muscle group being divided into outer, middle, and inner layers. The inner parts of the body surface were opened widely to demonstrate muscles, nerves, blood vessels and to expose the inner structure of the heart meridian muscle in the order of layers. We obtained the following results; $\cdot$ The heart meridian muscle is composed of muscles, nerves and blood vessels. $\cdot$ In human anatomy, the difference between terms is present (that is, between nerves or blood vessels which control the meridian muscle and those which pass near by). $\cdot$ The inner composition of the heart meridian muscle in the human arm is as follows: 1) Muscle H-l: latissimus dorsi muscle tendon, teres major muscle, coracobrachialis muscle H-2: biceps brachialis muscle, triceps brachialis muscle, brachialis muscle H-3: pronator teres muscle and brachialis muscle H-4: palmar carpal ligament and flexor ulnaris tendon H-5: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, tissue between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and flexor digitorum superficialis tendon, flexor digitorum profundus tendon H-6: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, flexor carpi ulnaris tendon H-7: palmar carpal ligament & flexor retinaculum, tissue between flexor carpi ulnaris tendon and flexor digitorum superficial is tendon, flexor digitorum profundus tendon H-8: palmar aponeurosis, 4th lumbrical muscle, dorsal & palmar interrosseous muscle H-9: dorsal fascia, radiad of extensor digiti minimi tendon & extensor digitorum tendon 2) Blood vessel H-1: axillary artery, posterior circumflex humeral artery H-2: basilic vein, brachial artery H-3: basilic vein, inferior ulnar collateral artery, brachial artery H-4: ulnar artery H-5: ulnar artery H-6: ulnar artery H-7: ulnar artery H-8: palmar digital artery H-9: dorsal digital vein, the dorsal branch of palmar digital artery 3) Nerve H-1: medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, median n., ulnar n., radial n., musculocutaneous n., axillary nerve H-2: median nerve, ulnar n., medial antebrachial cutaneous n., the branch of muscular cutaneous nerve H-3: median nerve, medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve H-4: medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve, ulnar nerve H-5: ulnar nerve H-6: ulnar nerve H-7: ulnar nerve H-8: superficial branch of ulnar nerve H-9: dorsal digital branch of ulnar nerve.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제37권6호
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• pp.783-787
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• 2010

Purpose: There are many articles describing about Guyon canal compression syndrome. Until recently, most of these articles have been presented about the symptoms of ulnar nerve compression, but there have been no reports about ulnar artery compression. In this article, besides the nerve compression symptoms in the Guyon's canal, we represented the symptoms and treatments based on the ulnar artery obstruction. Methods: Guyon canal is composed of the hamate and pisiform, and the ligaments which connect them. The course of the ulnar nerve and artery, which passes through this narrow canal, is affected by the anatomical structure of the base of the canal. Out of 14 patients (21 cases) were retrospectively reviewed in this study from 2006 to 2009. Of 14 patients, there were 5 men and 9 women with ages between 21 to 61 years old. The symptoms had volar sensory loss of ulnar sided digits, with muscular atrophy of hypothenar muscles. Prior to surgery, most of these patients had vascular disorders which was diagnosed definitively by angiography and electromyogram. Results: The release of Guyon canal and interposition graft of the obstructed arteries was carried out to 11 patients (15 cases) who had artery (vascular) occlusive disorder, and. 12 cases had sympathectomy and interposition graft after resection of obstructed ulnar artery. Six cases had release of carpal tunnel performed simultaneously. There were no major complications after surgery. The circulation of the ulnar artery was improved along with the patients' symptoms. Conclusion: The pre-existing articles about Guyon canal compression syndrome were mainly focused on ulnar nerve compression. This study, which was carried out by our department, showed that most of these patients had ulnar artery obstruction or stenosis simultaneously with ulnar nerve compression. The vascular disorder was corrected by interposition graft after the resection of the site of ulnar artery occlusion. And to conclude, When we resolve the ulnar nerve compression, the proper diagnosis & treatment of impaired ulnar artery circulation should be carried out concomitantly.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권5호
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• pp.667-669
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• 2009

Purpose: Radial and ulnar arteries are two major arteries responsible for the blood supply of the hand. We experienced early recurrent thrombosis of ulnar artery after arteriorrhaphy in a patient with rupture of ulnar and radial arteries due to glass injury. Thus, we thought this would require reviews. Method: 41 - year - old female patient was presented for the laceration of right wrist due to glass injury. Operative findings revealed the rupture of radial artery, ulnar artery, ulnar nerve and most of the flexor tendons. We performed three consecutive operations because of the recurrent arterial thrombosis in ulnar artery. Arteriorrhaphy was performed in each operation and the interpositional vein graft was performed in the final operation. Result: Consequently, doppler ultrasonography was performed on twentieth postoperative day and fair flow in the ulnar artery was visualized. Pathologic examination of the artery revealed no histopathologic abnormalities. Conclusion: It is not a matter of ease to follow up the patients with rupture of radial or ulnar arteries. Obstruction of the repaired artery is also not easy to detect because it usually presents no definite symptoms. We could detect the obstruction of the artery following arteriorrhaphy with the doppler ultrasonography in less than a week postoperatively, and repeated operations were followed. We reviewed the causes and factors affecting the thrombosis and hereby report with literature review.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제50권4호
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• pp.377-380
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• 2011

Objective : The purpose of this study was to determine the anatomic relationships between neurovascular structures and the transverse carpal ligament so as to avoid complications during endoscopic carpal tunnel surgery. Methods : Twenty-eight patients (age range, 35-69 years) with carpal tunnel syndrome were entered into the study. We examined through wrist magnetic resonance imaging in three different positions (neutral, radial flexion, and ulnar flexion) and determined several anatomic landmark (distance from the hamate hook to the median nerve, ulnar nerve, and ulnar vessel) based on the lateral margin of the hook of the hamate. The median nerve and ulnar neurovascular structure were studied with the wrist in the neutral, ulnar, and radial flexion positions. Results : The ulnar neurovascular structures usually passed just over or ulnar to the hook of the hamate. However, in 12 hands, a looped ulnar artery coursed 0.6-3.3 mm radial to the hook of the hamate and continued to the superficial palmar arch. The looped ulnar artery migrates on the ulnar side of Guyon's canal (-5.2-1.8 mm radial to the hook of the hamate) with the wrist in radial flexion. During ulnar flexion of the wrist, the ulnar artery shifts more radially beyond the hook of the hamate (-2.5-5.7 mm). Conclusion : It is appropriate to transect the ligament greater than 4 mm apart from the lateral margin of the hook of the hamate without placing the edge of the scalpel toward the ulnar side. We would also recommend not transecting the transverse carpal ligament in the ulnar flexed wrist position to protect the ulnar neurovascular structure.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제45권1호
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• pp.57-59
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• 2009

Guyon's canal at the wrist is not the common site of ulnar nerve compression. Ganglion, lipoma, anomalous tendon and muscles, trauma related to an occupation, arthritis, and carpal bone fracture can cause ulnar nerve compression at the wrist. However, ulnar nerve compression at Guyon's canal by vascular lesion is rare. Ulnar artery aneurysm, tortous ulnar artery, hemangioma, and thrombosis have been reported in the literature as vascular lesions. The authors experienced a case of ulnar nerve compression at Guyon's canal by an arteriovenous malformation (AVM) and the patient's symptom was improved after surgical resection. We can not easily predict vascular lesion as a cause of ulnar nerve compression at Guyon's canal. However, if there is not obvious etiology, we should consider vascular lesion as another possible etiology.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제22권2호
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• pp.74-77
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• 2013

A patient underwent reconstruction of skin and soft tissue using V-Y advancement of a superior ulnar collateral artery perforator flap after resection of the scar tissue on the upper arm. Successful flap healing was observed without complications. The medial side of the upper arm is an ideal donor site because of its thin, elastic, and hairless skin, resulting in a well-hidden scar. The elasticity of the medial side of the upper arm allows primary closure after flap elevation. The superior ulnar collateral artery perforator flap is an option for reconstruction of the upper arm.

• Archives of Reconstructive Microsurgery
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• 제17권2호
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• pp.115-119
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• 2008

Purpose: We reconstructed the skin defect of hands exposing tendons and/or bone with distally based ulnar artery flap and report our cases. Materials and Methods: Between March 2005 and September 2007, 6 cases of skin defect were reconstructed with distally based ulnar artery flap. Defect site were 5 cases of hand dorsal side and 1 case of hand volar side. The average defect size was $3{\times}3\;cm^2$. There were 4 men and 2 women and mean age was 55.5 years. We evaluated the viability of flap, postoperaive complication, healing time, patient's satisfaction. Results: There was no flap failure in 6 cases. But 1 case with recurrent discharge was healed with several times adequate debridement and delayed suture. 1 case with flap edema which might be due to venous congestion was healed with hand elevation and use of low molecular weight heparin. Mean time to heal the skin defect was 4 weeks. No infection and recurrence was found in follow up period. Cosmetic results as judged by patients were that 3 cases are good and 3 cases are fair. Conclusion: Distally based ulnar artery flap is good treatment method among the numerous methods in the cases of skin defect, with soft tissue exposed, which is not covered with debridment and skin graft. Distally based ulnar artery flap is useful method for the skin defect of hands because it is simple procedure, has constant blood supply and relatively good cosmetic effect.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• 제48권4호
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• pp.380-382
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• 2010

The authors present an extremely rare case of a pseudoaneurysm of the ulnar artery as a complication of a two-portal endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR). A 70-year-old man with chronic renal failure and on maintenance hemodialysis with a left arteriovenous fistula presented with paresthesia of his right hand. A clinical diagnosis of right carpal tunnel syndrome was confirmed by ultrasonography and an electro physiologic study. He underwent two-portal ECTR, and the paresthesia was much improved. However, he presented to us one month after operation with severe pain, a tender mass distal to the right wrist crease and more aggravation of the paresthesia in the ulnar nerve distribution. Doppler ultrasound was performed and revealed a hypo echoic lesion 20 mm in diameter in the right palm, with arterial Doppler flow inside connected to the palmar segment of the ulnar artery. An ulnar artery pseudoaneurysm was diagnosed and treated by ultrasound-guided percutaneous thrombin injection. Transverse color Doppler ultrasound image showed complete thrombosis of the pseudoaneurysm and flow cessation after a total injection of 500 units of thrombin. The symptoms were also improved.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• 제36권1호
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• pp.89-92
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• 2009

Purpose: The clinical syndrome of unilateral finger ischemia, caused by digital artery occlusions from embolization from the palmar ulnar artery associated with repetitive striking of the palm, has been called the hypothenar hammer syndrome (HHS). We report the case of a man with this unique disease probably caused by manual work. Methods: A 52 - year - old male left - hand dominant manual worker complained of pain and coldness in the left 4,5th finger. On physical examination, there was a tip necrosis and the result of Allen's test was mildly positive(sluggish filling of hand from the ulnar artery). Arteriograms confirmed occlusion of the distal ulnar artery without direct perfusion of the superficial palmar arch and distal digital artery. Surgical bypass with reverse autologous vein grafting was performed between ulnar artery and superficial palmar arch, common digital artery. Results: He had an uneventful postoperative course and has remained asymptomatic for 18 months since discharge. Patency has been confirmed by color doppler with resolution of cold intolerance and successful digital preservation. Conclusion: We introduce very unique pattern of vascular ischemic disease and recommend the arterial bypass with vein interpositional grafting.