Median nerve - lesions at elbow level

Causes

• Compression injury or entrapment:
  • Tumors
  • Bony spurs
  • Elbow fracture/dislocation
  • Struther’s ligament (compression of ulnar nerve or brachial artery may coexist)
  • Entrapment between pronator teres heads
  • Anomalous ulnar artery
  • Persistent median artery
  • Large brachialis muscle
• Iatrogenic injury:
  • Venipuncture
  • Catheterization

Symptoms & signs

• Clinical presentation is similar to lesions in axillary/upper arm level.
• May also cause anterior interosseous syndrome.