Ultrasound examination in the surgical treatment for upper extremity peripheral nerve injuries: part I.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this clinical study was to evaluate the benefits of ultrasonographic imaging in the surgical treatment of upper extremity peripheral nerve lesions.


METHODS
Peripheral nerves in the upper extremity were evaluated by using real-time ultrasonographic examination. The capability of ultrasonography in terms of determination the type of injury, the position of the proximal and distal nerve stumps, the presence or absence of a neuroma and perilesional scar tissue were evaluated in cases with peripheral nerve injury.


RESULTS
Thirty-six cases with upper extremity peripheral nerve injury aged between 24 and 60 years were included in this study. Four (11%) had brachial plexus injury, 9 (26%) ulnar nerve injury, 6 (16%) radial nerve injury and the remaining 17 (47%) cases had median nerve injury. The capability of ultrasonographic examination was satisfactory for all evaluation parameters.


CONCLUSIONS
Preoperative and intraoperative ultrasonography for upper extremity peripheral nerve lesions may be used in the description of the degree of injury, determination of complete or incomplete nerve sectioning, the presence of hematoma and foreign body, the continuity of the nerve, determination of nerve stumps and perilesional scar tissue, and the presence of neuroma.
Cokluk
Cengiz
C
Ondokuzmayis University, Neurosurgery Department, Samsun, Turkey. cengizcokluk@yahoo.com
Aydin
Keramettin
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016343:Monitoring, Intraoperative; D009463:Neuroma / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D011300:Preoperative Care; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries*