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Evaluation of the supinator muscle and deep branch of the radial nerve: impact on nerve compression

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Abstract

Purpose

The aim of this study was to investigate the superficial head of supinator muscle (SM) and deep branch of the radial nerve (DBRN) course in SM to see whether the texture characteristics of the superficial head of SM might have a potential compressive effect on the nerve.

Materials and methods

Elbow and proximal forearm region of 20 preserved cadavers (n 40, 12 M, 8 F) were dissected in order to measure total and part of DBRN lengths between some reference points. The texture characteristics of both the proximal (where DBRN enters SM) and distal arcade (where DBRN exits SM) of the superficial head of SM were evaluated based on its structure’s being muscular, musculotendinous, tendinous, or membranous.

Results

The total length of DBRN between sexes without taking side (L/R) into consideration (P = 0.030) and left radiocapitellar joint (RCJ)—arcade of Frohse (AF) length between sexes (P = 0.050) were statistically significant. There was a gradual increase in caliber getting more flattened in every consecutive level which was statistically significant when every two consecutive levels were compared. When compared according to the texture type, there were also significant differences.

Conclusions

Flattening of DBRN in the supinator canal suggests a chronic compression on the nerve. Differences in the texture of the superficial head of the supinator might facilitate this compression. An understanding of the anatomy and nerve topography is of utmost importance in the accurate diagnosis and effective management of peripheral nerve compression.

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Funding

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Mersin University, Ciftlikkoy Campus, 33343, Mersin, Turkey

    İ. Yağmurhan Gilan & A. Hakan Öztürk

  2. Department of Computer Technology and Information Systems, School of Applied Technology and Management of Erdemli, Mersin University, Mersin, Turkey

    V. Bennu Gilan

Authors
  1. İ. Yağmurhan Gilan
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  2. V. Bennu Gilan
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  3. A. Hakan Öztürk
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Contributions

YG: Protocol development, data collection, manuscript writing. VBG: Data analysis. AHO: Protocol development, data collection, data management, manuscript writing and editing.

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Correspondence to A. Hakan Öztürk.

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The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest.

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Ethical approval was obtained from the Ethics Committee of Mersin University.

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Gilan, İ.Y., Gilan, V.B. & Öztürk, A.H. Evaluation of the supinator muscle and deep branch of the radial nerve: impact on nerve compression. Surg Radiol Anat 42, 927–933 (2020). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02480-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00276-020-02480-0

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