The use of cross-correlation analysis between high-frequency ultrasound images to measure longitudinal median nerve movement.
Impaired nerve movement can lead to nerve injury (e.g., carpal tunnel syndrome). A noninvasive method to measure nerve movement in longitudinal section would enable an extensive analysis of nerve entrapment syndromes. A method has been developed using cross-correlation between successive high-frequency ultrasound (US) images to measure longitudinal movement of nerve and muscle. Control "phantom" experiments demonstrated the accuracy and reliability of this method at velocities of 1-10 mm/s. Increasing the frame interval between the compared frames enabled the accurate calculation of slower velocities. The correlation algorithm successfully measured relative movement when the US transducer was moved 1-3 mm over the surface of the forearm. Median nerve movement was repeatedly measured in the forearm during 30 degrees passive wrist extension in three subjects (range 2.63-4.12 mm) and index finger extension in seven subjects (range 1.59-4.48 mm). Median nerve movement values were consistent with those from cadaver studies.
Dilley
A
A
Department of Physiology, University College London, Gower St, London, UK. a.dilley@ucl.ac.uk
Greening
J
J
Lynn
B
B
Leary
R
R
Morris
V
V
D000328:Adult; D000465:Algorithms; D005260:Female; D005384:Finger Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D005542:Forearm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D019047:Phantoms, Imaging; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014159:Transducers; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D014955:Wrist Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology