Anatomic bases for the compression and neurolysis of the deep branch of the radial nerve in the radial tunnel

The anatomy of the radial tunnel was studied on twenty-five elbow preparati ons. We noted five different elements that could affect the deep branch of the radial nerve in the radial tunnel and cause an entrapment syndrome: a c apsule-tendon-aponeurotic complex on the anterior aspect of both the humero radial joint and the radial head, the vascular arcade formed by the radial recurrent a. and its branches, the arcade formed by the medial edge of exte nsor carpi radialis brevis muscle, and the superior and inferior arcades of the superficial layer of the supinator muscle. These results are compared with recent anatomical and clinical data, and the relevance of a surgical a pproach between the extensor carpi radialis brevis and longus muscles is di scussed.