title: High-resolution sonography of lower extremity peripheral nerves: anatomic correlation and spectrum of disease.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The value of sonography for the diagnosis of diseases of the peripheral nervous system is only little known. This image presentation is intended to raise the awareness of sonographers and clinicians of the potential of sonography by giving an anatomic-sonographic correlation of lower extremity peripheral nerves and an overview of commonly encountered diseases.
  
  
  METHODS
  On 2 lower extremity cadaver specimens, peripheral nerves were imaged in typical locations such as the tarsal tunnel. During sonography the nerve was injected with blue dye, and thin-slice anatomic sections were obtained at the scan level with a chain saw. In addition, sonographic images of patients with typical diseases are shown.
  
  
  RESULTS
  An excellent anatomic-sonographic correlation was obtained, which underlines the feasibility of sonography for imaging of lower extremity peripheral nerves. Reliable results may be obtained with sonography of typical disease processes of lower extremity peripheral nerves.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Recent developments in sonographic technology such as the introduction of high-frequency linear array transducers, compound imaging, and extended field-of-view imaging strongly improve the applicability of transcutaneous sonography for the examination of peripheral nerve disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University Hospital, Innsbruck, Austria.
authors.forename: Siegfried
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Peer
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Kovacs
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Harpf
authors.forename: Gerd
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bodner
mesh_terms: D002102:Cadaver; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D017933:Peripheral Nervous System / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography