Ultrasound elastography for the evaluation of peripheral nerves: A systematic review

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 60; no. 5; pp. 501 - 512
• Main Authors: Wee, Tze Chao, Simon, Neil G.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.11.2019; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: carpal tunnel syndrome; Connective tissues; Disorders; Elastic properties; Elasticity Imaging Techniques - methods; Etiology; Evaluation; Humans; Modulus of elasticity; Myelin; nerve imaging; Nervous system; Nervous tissues; Peripheral nerves; Peripheral Nerves - diagnostic imaging; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Peripheral neuropathy; Stiffness; Systematic review; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasonic testing; Ultrasound; ultrasound elastography; carpal tunnel syndrome; nerve imaging; peripheral neuropathy; ultrasound elastography
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.26624

Peripheral nerve disorders are commonly encountered in clinical practice. Electrodiagnostic studies remain the cornerstone of the evaluation of nerve disorders. More recently, ultrasound has played an increasing complementary role in the neuromuscular clinic. Ultrasound elastography is a technique that measures the elastic properties of tissues. Given the histological changes that occur in diseased peripheral nerves, nerve ultrasound elastography has been explored as a noninvasive way to evaluate changes in nerve tissue composition. Studies to date suggest that nerve stiffness tends to increase in the setting of peripheral neuropathy, regardless of etiology, consistent with loss of more compliant myelin, and replacement with connective tissue. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the current literature on the use of ultrasound elastography in the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy. Limitations of ultrasound elastography and gaps in current literature are discussed, and prospects for future clinical and research applications are raised.