Measurement of cross-sectional area of cervical roots and brachial plexus trunks.
BACKGROUND
The aim of this study was to determine normal reference values for cross-sectional area (CSA) and the correlation between demographic factors and CSA in the cervical roots and brachial plexus trunks using ultrasonography.


METHODS
Ninety-five age-matched healthy individuals were studied. Ultrasonographic tests were performed via nerve tracing from the cervical root to the brachial plexus trunk. The CSA of each nerve was measured in the C5-8 ventral roots and brachial plexus (trunk level).


RESULTS
Normal values of each cervical root were: C5, 5.66 ± 1.02 mm(2); C6, 8.98 ± 1.65 mm(2); C7, 10.43 ± 1.86 mm(2); and C8, 10.76 ± 2.02 mm(2). Values for the brachial plexus were: upper trunk, 16.70 ± 2.88 mm(2); middle trunk, 14.01 ± 2.70 mm(2); and lower trunk, 13.75 ± 2.57 mm(2). The side-to-side discrepancy was 11.91 ± 11.11%. Body mass index (BMI) and height correlated frequently with nerve CSA.


CONCLUSIONS
These reference values may be helpful in investigating pathologies involving the cervical area.
Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Yeouido St Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, South Korea.
Sun Jae
SJ
Won
Byung-Jo
BJ
Kim
Kyung Seok
KS
Park
Se Hwa
SH
Kim
Joon Shik
JS
Yoon
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult