Anatomical Study of Radial Tunnel and its Clinical Implications in Compressive Syndromes^[*]

Abstract

Objective The purpose of the present study was to analyze the structures in the radial tunnel that can cause posterior interosseous nerve entrapment.

Methods A total of 30 members of 15 adult cadavers prepared by intra-arterial injection of a 10% solution of glycerol and formalin were dissected. All were male, belonging to the laboratory of anatomy of this institution.

Results The branch for the supinator muscle originated from the posterior interosseous nerve in all limbs. We identified the Frohse arcade with a well-developed fibrous constitution in 22 of the 30 dissected limbs (73%) and of muscular constitution in 8 (27%). The distal margin of the supinator muscle presented fibrous consistency in 7 of the 30 limbs (23.5%) and muscular appearance in 23 (76.5%). In the proximal margin of the extensor carpi radialis brevis muscle, we identified the fibrous arch in 18 limbs (60%); in 9 (30%) we noticed the arcade of muscular constitution; in 3 (10%) there was only the radial insertion, so that it did not form the arcade.

Conclusion The Frohse arcade and the arcade formed by the origins of the extensor carpi radialis brevis are normal anatomical structures in adult cadavers. However, from the clinical point of view, these structures have the potential to cause entrapment of the posterior interosseous nerve.

Keywords

radial nerve - radial neuropathy - nerve compression syndromes - cadaver

^* Work performed at the Pontifícia Universidade Católica de São Paulo, Faculdade de Ciências Médicas e da Saúde, Sorocaba, SP, Brazil.

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