Histological validation of ultrasound-guided neurography in early nerve regeneration.
Ultrasound-guided near-nerve neurography is a new tool that can be used to assess nerve regeneration before reinnervation occurs. In this study, ultrasound-guided near-nerve measurements were validated against axon diameter counts in rabbits during a 15-week regeneration period after a crush lesion of their peroneal nerve. The course of the nerve was determined ultrasonically, and the active near-nerve needle electrode was maneuvered just next to the nerve under ultrasound guidance. Measured action potentials were compared with axon diameter counts from histological sections of these same nerves. A moderate to good positive correlation was found, which reached a maximum of 0.7 at a cut-off of 3 microm, corresponding to the minimal size of the myelinated axons. Our results suggest that, following a similar validation study in humans, ultrasound-guided near-nerve neurography may be clinically useful when early evaluation of nerve activity is needed.
van Neck
Johan W
JW
Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Room Ee15.91, Erasmus MC, University Medical Center, P.O. Box 2040, Rotterdam 3000, The Netherlands. j.vanneck@erasmusmc.nl
de Kool
B Stefan
BS
Hekking-Weijma
J  Ineke  M
J
Walbeehm
Erik T
ET
Visser
Gerhard H
GH
Blok
Joleen H
JH
D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D003943:Diagnostic Techniques, Neurological; D008297:Male; D009416:Nerve Regeneration; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011817:Rabbits; D014463:Ultrasonography / Q000379:methods