A 38-year-old woman is being evaluated after experiencing intermittent tingling and numbness in her left hand for several months. Her symptoms primarily affect the fourth and fifth digits and are frequently triggered by driving a car. A physical examination reveals no anomalies. A nerve stimulator is placed on the left fifth digit and a surface recorder is placed over the ulnar nerve above the elbow during an electrodiagnostic study. An electrical stimulus is applied, and the resulting graph is shown below. The asymptomatic contralateral extremity's results are also shown. Which of the following is most likely to be affected in this patient?

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Ulnar neuropathy is distinguished by numbness in the fourth and fifth digits, as well as pain and weakness. Compressive injury is the most common cause, resulting in tissue ischemia and demyelination (Schwann cell injury). A nerve conduction study can help distinguish between demyelinating and axonal neuropathies; demyelination causes slowed or blocked nerve conduction velocity, whereas axonal injury causes signal strength to decrease.

A 38-Year-Old Woman Is Being Evaluated After Experiencing Intermittent Tingling