Nerves of the hand beyond the carpal tunnel.
Imaging studies including ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging may be required to evaluate the median nerve in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the radial and ulnar nerves contribute to sensory and motor innervations to the hand as well. Compressive, traumatic, and iatrogenic events may damage the small terminal branches of these nerves. In the hand, US is able to identify injuries of the median, ulnar, radial nerve, and terminal branches. This article presents the role of imaging to evaluate the nerves of the hand with an emphasis on US. Due to its high-resolution capabilities, US is useful to determine the location, extent, and type of nerve lesion. Moreover, US is useful for a postsurgical assessment. The anterior interosseous nerve, Guyon's tunnel syndrome, and Wartenberg's syndrome are also described.
Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Institute of Anatomy, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy. alberto.tagliafico@unige.it
Alberto
A
Tagliafico
Angela
A
Cadoni
Erica
E
Fisci
Sergio
S
Gennaro
Luigi
L
Molfetta
Maribel Miguel
MM
Perez
Andrea S
AS
Klauser
Carlo
C
Martinoli
D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology; D017769:Ulnar Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology; D014463:Ultrasonography