title: Ultrasound as a useful tool in the diagnosis and management of traumatic nerve lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The possibility of depicting through ultrasound (US) the nerve and its surroundings should be very useful in traumatic nerve lesion (TNL) management. Our study aimed at evaluating the contribution of US as complementary tool in a neurophysiological laboratory for the diagnosis and management of TNL.
  
  
  METHODS
  A total of 112 nerves from 98 consecutive patients with clinical suspicion of TNL were considered. Two independent and blinded clinicians, different from the examiners performing electrodiagnosis and US, classified clinical, neurophysiological and US findings and classified the contribution of US as follows: 'contributive' and 'non-contributive' if US confirmed the clinical and neurophysiological diagnosis or if US findings were unremarkable.
  
  
  RESULTS
  US was 'contributive' (strongly modified the diagnostic and therapeutic path) in 58% of cases (n: 65) providing information on therapeutic approach (immediate or delayed surgery), diagnosis and follow-up. US specifically contributed to the (1) assessment of nerve continuity/discontinuity, hence neurotmesis/axonotmesis; (2) identification of aetiology; and (3) demonstration of multiple sites of damage. US was contributive mainly in cases with neurophysiological evidence of complete axonal damage.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US should be used, when available, in all patients in whom TNL is suspected as it provides a more comprehensive diagnosis than neurophysiologic studies alone. Anatomical information is often crucial for choosing the most appropriate therapeutic strategies (and for surgical planning).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  US can improve the outcome of TNL.
authors: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University, Rome, Italy. lpadua@rm.unicatt.it
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Padua
authors: A
authors: A
authors: Di Pasquale
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Liotta
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Granata
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Pazzaglia
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Erra
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Briani
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Coraci
authors: P
authors: P
authors: De Franco
authors: G
authors: G
authors: Antonini
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Martinoli
mesh_terms: D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001369:Axons / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D020833:Diffuse Axonal Injury / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004576:Electromyography; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D005360:Fibula / Q000293:injuries; D006801:Humans; D006811:Humerus / Q000293:injuries; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009049:Motorcycles; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D019635:Neurosurgical Procedures; D059348:Peripheral Nerve Injuries / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000628:therapy*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries; D012916:Soccer / Q000293:injuries; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000601:surgery / Q000637:transplantation; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult; D000092464:Elbow Injuries