Emerging technologies in neuromuscular ultrasound

• Published in: Muscle & nerve Vol. 61; no. 6; pp. 719 - 725
• Main Author: Hobson‐Webb, Lisa D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Hoboken, USA John Wiley & Sons, Inc 01.06.2020; Wiley Subscription Services, Inc
• Subjects: Agents (artificial intelligence); Artificial intelligence; Contrast agents; Dependence; Diagnostic systems; elastography; high resolution ultrasound; Image resolution; Medical imaging; Muscles; neuromuscular ultrasound; New technology; Peripheral nerves; photoacoustic imaging; Stiffness; Ultrasonic imaging; Ultrasound; high resolution ultrasound; elastography; neuromuscular ultrasound; photoacoustic imaging; artificial intelligence
• ISSN: 0148-639X; 1097-4598; 1097-4598
• DOI: 10.1002/mus.26819

Neuromuscular ultrasound is an accepted and valuable element in the evaluation of peripheral nerve and muscle disease. However, ultrasound has several limitations to consider, including operator dependency and lack of a viable contrast agent. Fortunately, new technological advances show promise in resolving these issues. Ultra‐high resolution ultrasound enables imaging of the nerve at the fascicular level. Shear wave elastography imaging can provide measures of tissue stiffness that can act as a surrogate measure of nerve and muscle health. Photoacoustic imaging may overcome neuromuscular ultrasound's current lack of contrast agents to detect inflammation and other functional changes within nerve and muscle, while artificial intelligence stands to address operator dependency and improve diagnostic imaging. The basic principles of each of these technologies are discussed along with current research and potential future applications in neuromuscular imaging.