High-resolution ultrasonography in evaluating peripheral nerve entrapment and trauma

• Published in: Neurosurgical focus Vol. 26; no. 2; p. E13
• Main Authors: Koenig, Ralph W, Pedro, Maria T, Heinen, Christian P G, Schmidt, Thomas, Richter, Hans-Peter, Antoniadis, Gregor, Kretschmer, Thomas
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.02.2009
• Subjects: Adult; Aged; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - pathology; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome - physiopathology; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - diagnostic imaging; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - pathology; Cubital Tunnel Syndrome - physiopathology; Female; Humans; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - methods; Image Processing, Computer-Assisted - trends; Male; Middle Aged; Nerve Compression Syndromes - diagnostic imaging; Nerve Compression Syndromes - pathology; Nerve Compression Syndromes - physiopathology; Peripheral Nerve Injuries; Peripheral Nerves - diagnostic imaging; Peripheral Nerves - pathology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - diagnostic imaging; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - pathology; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases - physiopathology; Predictive Value of Tests; Ultrasonography - methods; Ultrasonography - trends; Wounds and Injuries - diagnostic imaging; Wounds and Injuries - pathology; Wounds and Injuries - physiopathology
• ISSN: 1092-0684; 1092-0684
• DOI: 10.3171/foc.2009.26.2.e13

High-resolution ultrasonography is a noninvasive, readily applicable imaging modality, capable of depicting real-time static and dynamic morphological information concerning the peripheral nerves and their surrounding tissues. Continuous progress in ultrasonographic technology results in highly improved spatial and contrast resolution. Therefore, nerve imaging is possible to a fascicular level, and most peripheral nerves can now be depicted along their entire anatomical course. An increasing number of publications have evaluated the role of high-resolution ultrasonography in peripheral nerve diseases, especially in peripheral nerve entrapment. Ultrasonography has been shown to be a precious complementary tool for assessing peripheral nerve lesions with respect to their exact location, course, continuity, and extent in traumatic nerve lesions, and for assessing nerve entrapment and tumors. In this article, the authors discuss the basic technical considerations for using ultrasonography in peripheral nerve assessment, and some of the clinical applications are illustrated.