Background: The anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) is a motor nerve innervating the deep muscles of the forearm. Its compression is rare, its diagnosis is not easy, and the existence of 2 really differentiated injuries (anterior interosseous syndrome and Pronator Teres syndrome) seems to be, at least, questionable from a clinical point of view. Purpose: The purpose of this study was to study the results obtained after surgical treatment of patients clinically diagnosed of AIN compression by the Scratch Collapse Test (SCT). Materials and Methods: From June 2013 to January 2016, 20 patients underwent surgery for proximal compression of the median nerve. The diagnosis was made based on the patient’s symptoms and positivity of the SCT in three consecutive consultations. In all patients, electromyogram (EMG) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed to exclude other space-occupying injuries that could justify the symptoms. They were 13 men and 7 women. Average age at surgery was 32 (13-53) years and follow-up was 14 (1-32) months. All surgeries were carried out by the same surgeon and all areas of possible nerve compression were released. In 4 cases, the diagnosis of “double crush syndrome” was made and the carpal tunnel was also released. Results: EMG was reported as abnormal only in patients diagnosed of “double crush syndrome.” MRI showed any abnormality in 4 patients. In all patients, the SCT was negative at the first postoperative consultation. All patients returned to their normal activities without sequelae but 4 of them developed a keloid scar. Conclusions: Based on our results, we believe that the SCT is a useful test in clinical diagnosis and postoperative monitoring of anterior interosseous nerve compression.
