High-resolution ultrasonography in evaluating peripheral nerve entrapment and trauma.
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.
Department of Neurosurgery, University of Ulm, Germany. ralph.koenig@uni-ulm.de
Ralph W
RW
Koenig
Maria T
MT
Pedro
Christian P G
CP
Heinen
Thomas
T
Schmidt
Hans-Peter
HP
Richter
Gregor
G
Antoniadis
Thomas
T
Kretschmer
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D020430:Cubital Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods* / Q000639:trends; D014947:Wounds and Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology