title: Anatomical study of phrenic nerve using ultrasound.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To demonstrate whether ultrasonography may allow a precise assessment of the course and relations of the phrenic nerve in its cervical portion.
  
  
  METHODS
  This study, initially undertaken in five cadavers, was followed by high-resolution ultrasonographic study in 20 volunteers (40 nerves) by two radiologists in consensus. The location, course and relations of the phrenic nerve to the adjacent anatomical structures were analysed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The phrenic nerve could be nicely identified through the majority of its course by high-resolution ultrasonography. Useful anatomic landmarks for the detection of the nerve could be defined; these include the transverse cervical and ascending cervical arteries. Some anatomical variations were observed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Knowledge of the nerve's precise location, which may demonstrate individual variations, may have useful clinical applications.
authors.affiliation: Service de Radiologie et d'Imagerie Musculosquelettique, Hôpital Roger Salengro, Lille 59037, France. clacanella@yahoo.com.br
authors.forename: Clarissa
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Canella
authors.forename: Xavier
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Demondion
authors.forename: Arnaud
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Delebarre
authors.forename: Antoine
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Moraux
authors.forename: Hervé
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Cotten
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cotten
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002102:Cadaver; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008953:Models, Anatomic; D010791:Phrenic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods*; D055815:Young Adult