Ulnar neuropathy: anomalous anastomoses

Martin-Gruber anastomosis (MGA)

• This is an ulnar-to-median nerve communication
• The anastomosis is with the median nerve trunk or its anterior interosseous branch
• A distal type occurs in the forearm and is commoner
• A proximal type occurs at or above the elbow

The Riche-Cannieu anastomosis (RCA)

Marinacci communication

Berretini anastomosis

References

1. Burakgazi AZ, Russo M, Bayat E, Richardson PK. Ulnar neuropathy with prominent proximal Martin-Gruber anastomosis. Int J Neurosci 2014; 124:542-546.
2. Burakgazi AZ, Russo M, Bayat E, Richardson PK. Underrecognized anomaly: proximal martin-gruber anastomosis at the elbow. J Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 31:31-34.
3. Sakai K, Tsutsui T, Aoi M, Sonobe H, Murakami H. Ulnar neuropathy caused by a lipoma in Guyon's canal-case report. Neurol Med Chir (Tokyo) 2000; 40:335-338.
4. Brown JV, Landau ME. Sparing of the second lumbrical in a Riche-Cannieu anastomosis: the nearly all-ulnar hand. J Clin Neuromuscul Dis 2013; 14:184-187.
5. Unver Dogan N, Uysal II, Seker M. The communications between the ulnar and median nerves in upper limb. Neuroanatomy. 2009; 8:15–19.
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