title: Nerve cross-sectional area in extremes of age.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Nerve cross-sectional area reference values have been reported for many nerves, but there have been few studies in pediatric and geriatric populations. This study was conducted to determine the influence of age on nerve cross-sectional area.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two children (3 months to 16 years) and 20 geriatric adults (67-92 years) without known neurologic conditions underwent bilateral ultrasound to measure the area of the following nerves: median at the wrist and forearm; ulnar at the wrist and elbow; radial in the spiral groove; sciatic in the distal thigh; fibular at the knee; tibial at the knee and ankle; and sural at the ankle.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In general, nerve cross-sectional area increased with age. Nerve size correlated most closely with age, but a correlation was also seen with body mass index.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Nerve cross-sectional area increases with age, which is important to note when using ultrasound to evaluate children and geriatric patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Reynolds Tower, Medical Center Boulevard, Winston-Salem, North Carolina 27157, USA. mcartwri@wfubmc.edu
authors.forename: Michael S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Cartwright
authors.forename: David R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Mayans
authors.forename: Natalie A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Gillson
authors.forename: Leah P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Griffin
authors.forename: Francis O
authors.initials: FO
authors.lastname: Walker
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D009929:Organ Size; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012584:Sciatic Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography