Ulnar neuropathy with prominent proximal Martin-Gruber anastomosis

Abstract

Martin-Gruber anastomosis (MGA) is the most common nerve anastomosis in the upper extremities and it crosses from the median nerve to the ulnar nerve. Proximal MGA is an under recognized anastomosis between the ulnar and median nerves at or above the elbow and should not be missed during nerve conduction studies. We presented two patients with ulnar neuropathy mimicking findings including numbness and tingling of the 4th and 5th digits and mild weakness of intrinsic hand muscles. However, both cases had an apparently remarkable conduction block between the below- and above-elbow sites that was disproportionate to their clinical findings. To explain this discrepancy, a large MGA was detected with stimulation of the median nerve at the elbow. Thus, proximal MGA should be considered in ulnar neuropathy at the elbow when apparent conduction block or/and discrepancy between clinical and electrodiagnostic findings is found.