Can Ultrasonography Be Useful in Planning Surgery for De Quervain Tenosynovitis?: A Prospective Study With Emphasis on Detection of the Superficial Radial Nerve and Dominant Pathologic Tendon

Abstract

Objectives We performed preoperative ultrasonography (US) to detect the anatomic course of the superficial radial nerve (SRN) and dominant pathologic tendon of the first extensor compartment in de Quervain tenosynovitis.

Methods We prospectively studied 27 patients (29 wrists) with de Quervain tenosynovitis who underwent surgical release of the first extensor compartment. Preoperatively, US was performed to evaluate the presence of the dominant pathologic tendon and the septum in the subcompartment, number of SRNs in the area of the surgical incision, and anatomic running course of the SRN. These variables were also checked intraoperatively. Cohen κ statistics were calculated to investigate agreement between US and surgical field findings.

Results There were 7 men and 20 women (mean age, 47.8 years; range, 26–67 years). For the dominant pathologic tendon, there were 2 cases (6.9%) of an abductor pollicis longus, 11 cases (37.9%) of an extensor pollicis brevis, and 16 cases (55.2 %) of a nondominant tendon (κ = 0.94). For the subcompartment, there were 10 cases (34.5%) without a septum, 8 (27.6%) with an incomplete septum, and 11 (37.9%) with a complete septum (κ = 0.95). Most SRNs crossed over the first extensor compartment (κ = 0.78).

Conclusions Preoperative US can be useful in detecting the anatomic running course of the SRN and dominant pathologic tendon before surgery for de Quervain tenosynovitis. Classifying the anatomic course of the SRN could be essential to planning surgery, and it could be helpful to prevent injury of the SRN during surgery.