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There are five sites at which radial nerve entrapment at the elbow has been commonly reported. These include the level of the fibrous bands within the extensor carpi radialis brevis, the thickened fascial tissue at the radiocapitellar joint, the leash of Henry, the arcade of Frohse, and the distal border of the supinator muscle. This review describes the anatomy of the radial nerve at the elbow and the surrounding structures, and then provides an overview of the literature supporting the use of ultrasound to assist in the evaluation of suspected radial neuropathy at the elbow. This review concludes with a suggested ultrasonographic approach for the systematic evaluation of suspected radial neuropathy at the elbow.

The diagnosis and evaluation of neuromuscular disorders traditionally involves electrodiagnostic (EDx) testing, including nerve conduction studies (NCSs) and electromyography (EMG). These tools can cause pain and discomfort, an important consideration when performed on children. Neuromuscular ultrasound is noninvasive, cost-effective, and increasingly utilized for the detection of neuromuscular pathology. Studies investigating the performance and clinical implementation of ultrasound have primarily been performed in adult populations. Ultrasound in children has the potential to guide EDx testing and ultimately improve diagnostic efficiency and accuracy. This review aims to describe key features of neuromuscular ultrasound in the pediatric population based on the available studies, including our own institutional experience.