Spectrum of High-Resolution MRI Findings in Diabetic Neuropathy

• Published in: American journal of roentgenology (1976) Vol. 199; no. 2; pp. 407 - 412
• Main Authors: Thakkar, Rashmi S., Del Grande, Filippo, Thawait, Gaurav K., Andreisek, Gustav, Carrino, John A., Chhabra, Avneesh
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Reston, VA American Roentgen Ray Society 01.08.2012
• Subjects: Biological and medical sciences; Diabetes. Impaired glucose tolerance; Diabetic Neuropathies - diagnosis; Diabetic Neuropathies - physiopathology; Diagnosis, Differential; Endocrine pancreas. Apud cells (diseases); Endocrinopathies; Etiopathogenesis. Screening. Investigations. Target tissue resistance; Extremities - physiopathology; Humans; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Magnetic Resonance Imaging - methods; Medical sciences; Endocrinopathy; Nuclear medicine; Nervous system diseases; High resolution; MRI; diabetic neuropathy; Diabetes mellitus; Neuropathy; Nuclear magnetic resonance imaging; peripheral neuropathy; MR neurography; Radiology; Medical imagery; Neurography; Peripheral nerve disease; diabetes; fascicles
• ISSN: 0361-803X; 1546-3141; 1546-3141
• DOI: 10.2214/AJR.11.7893

Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy. Focal diabetic neuropathy, although less common than entrapment neuropathy, clinically mimics entrapment neuropathy. This article depicts the spectrum of MR abnormalities in diabetic subjects- from abnormal T2 hyperintensity and fascicular enlargement in the acute and subacute stages to atrophic-appearing fascicles with intraepineurial fat deposition in the chronic stage-on high-resolution high-field (3-T) MRI. A spectrum of imaging abnormalities is observed in diabetic neuropathy. It is important for radiologists to understand the pathophysiology and recognize high-resolution MR appearances of these lesions and of related entities in the differential diagnosis for appropriate diagnosis and patient treatment.