title: Ultrasonography of palm to elbow segment of median nerve in different degrees of diabetic polyneuropathy.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify the relationship between the ultrasonographic cross-sectional area (CSA) of the median nerve and electrophysiologic findings in diabetic patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty diabetic patients, 30 patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and 30 healthy volunteers participated. The participants were divided into 4 groups: Control Group; Group I, diabetic patients without diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN); Group II, diabetic patients with DPN; and Group III, patients with CTS. Group II was subdivided into II-1 and II-2 according to DPN severity. The median nerve CSA was measured at 4 levels, and the wrist-to-forearm ratio (WFR) was calculated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median nerve CSAs were larger in Group II than in Group I and the Control Group. There were significant differences in the CSA between Group I and Group II-2 and between Group II-1 and II-2. There was no significant difference in the WFR among these groups. The CSAs at the wrist levels and WFR were significantly greater in Group III.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The median nerve CSA was greater in patients with DPN and was related to DPN severity. Diffuse increase in median nerve CSA without change in the WFR might be compatible with DPN. Ultrasonography could be applied for the diagnosis of DPN, especially in advanced cases.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Ultrasonography might have value in the differential diagnosis of DPN and entrapment neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Korea University College of Medicine, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun Im
authors.initials: HI
authors.lastname: Moon
authors.affiliation: Korea University College of Medicine, South Korea. Electronic address: hkkwon@korea.ac.kr.
authors.forename: Hee Kyu
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Kwon
authors.affiliation: Sahmyook Medical Center, South Korea.
authors.forename: Lina
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: National Rehabilitation Center, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hye Jin
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
authors.affiliation: Bundang Cha Medical Center, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hang Jae
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002349:Carpal Tunnel Syndrome / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004550:Elbow / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D004551:Elbow Joint / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006225:Hand / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Cross-sectional area; Diabetic polyneuropathy; Median nerve; Ultrasonography