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Peer-reviewedCC BYCureus

Ultrasound-Guided Ulnar Nerve Hydrodissection for Post-brachioplasty Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in a Patient With Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Case Report

  • Zainab Farooq1
  • Nate Tomilonus2
  • Alex Abouafech1
  • Joe Bhagratie3
  • Stephen Westfall3
  1. 1Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Bradenton, USA
  2. 2Medicine, Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine, Lakewood Ranch, USA
  3. 3Orthopedics, Baptist Medical Center Jacksonville, Jacksonville, USA
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Abstract

Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity, typically resulting from compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Postsurgical scarring is a less frequently discussed etiology, particularly following cosmetic procedures such as brachioplasty. We present the case of a 31‑year‑old female with a history of massive weight loss and bilateral brachioplasty who developed progressive ulnar neuropathic symptoms despite normal electrodiagnostic testing. The patient also carried a diagnosis of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), complicating clinical interpretation. Ultrasound demonstrated ulnar nerve enlargement and tethering beneath brachioplasty scar tissue. The patient was successfully treated with ultrasound‑guided ulnar nerve hydrodissection using dextrose, local anesthetic, and corticosteroid. This case highlights the limitations of electromyography (EMG) in dynamic or scar‑related neuropathies, the potential contribution of brachioplasty scarring to cubital tunnel syndrome, and the role of ultrasound‑guided hydrodissection as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.

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Cite

BibTeXRIS
BibTeX
@article{farooq2026ultrasoundguided,
  title = {{Ultrasound-Guided Ulnar Nerve Hydrodissection for Post-brachioplasty Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in a Patient With Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Case Report}},
  author = {Zainab Farooq and Nate Tomilonus and Alex Abouafech and Joe Bhagratie and Stephen Westfall},
  journal = {Cureus},
  year = {2026},
  month = sep,
  doi = {10.7759/cureus.117239},
  url = {https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722271},
  note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY  - JOUR
TI  - Ultrasound-Guided Ulnar Nerve Hydrodissection for Post-brachioplasty Cubital Tunnel Syndrome in a Patient With Congenital Myasthenic Syndrome: A Case Report
AU  - Zainab Farooq
AU  - Nate Tomilonus
AU  - Alex Abouafech
AU  - Joe Bhagratie
AU  - Stephen Westfall
PY  - 2026
DA  - 2026/09/30
JO  - Cureus
DO  - 10.7759/cureus.117239
UR  - https://europepmc.org/article/PMC/PMC13722271
AB  - Cubital tunnel syndrome is a common entrapment neuropathy of the upper extremity, typically resulting from compression of the ulnar nerve at the elbow. Postsurgical scarring is a less frequently discussed etiology, particularly following cosmetic procedures such as brachioplasty. We present the case of a 31‑year‑old female with a history of massive weight loss and bilateral brachioplasty who developed progressive ulnar neuropathic symptoms despite normal electrodiagnostic testing. The patient also carried a diagnosis of congenital myasthenic syndrome (CMS), complicating clinical interpretation. Ultrasound demonstrated ulnar nerve enlargement and tethering beneath brachioplasty scar tissue. The patient was successfully treated with ultrasound‑guided ulnar nerve hydrodissection using dextrose, local anesthetic, and corticosteroid. This case highlights the limitations of electromyography (EMG) in dynamic or scar‑related neuropathies, the potential contribution of brachioplasty scarring to cubital tunnel syndrome, and the role of ultrasound‑guided hydrodissection as a minimally invasive alternative to surgery.
SN  - 2168-8184
ER  -