title: Preliminary study of sural nerve morphological changes in uremic hemodialysis patients using 22-MHz high-frequency ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the ultrasound (US) morphological changes of sural nerves (SNs) of uremic patients on hemodialysis.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty-six SNs in 33 uremic patients were examined by 22-MHZ high-frequency US and routine nerve conduction studies (NCS), and 76 SNs in 38 controls were also examined. Cross-sectional area (CSA) and maximal fascicular thickness (MFT) of the SNs were measured.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The inner parts of the SN were clearly identified in all participants. There were significant increases in CSA and MFT in the patient group (1.86 ± 0.53 mm(2) and 0.37 ± 0.08 mm, respectively) compared with the control group (1.38 ± 0.25 mm(2) and 0.32 ± 0.03 mm, respectively) (P < 0.001). Fifty-seven SNs (86.36%) had abnormal CSAs, and 51 SNs (77.27%) had abnormal MFTs in the patient group, which was higher than NCS abnormalities (66.67%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A 22-MHZ US can show morphological changes in the SNs of uremic patients and may be a valuable tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ultrasound, Shanghai Jiaotong University Affiliated Sixth People's Hospital, Shanghai Institute of Ultrasound in Medicine, 600 Yishan Road, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Mei
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wei
authors.forename: Jiaan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zhu
authors.forename: Niansong
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.forename: Qing
authors.initials: Q
authors.lastname: Xue
authors.forename: Fang
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Bing
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Hu
authors.forename: Junchu
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fang
authors.forename: Yingchun
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000528:radiation effects; D011930:Reaction Time / Q000528:radiation effects; D006435:Renal Dialysis / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013016:Sound; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D014511:Uremia / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy