title: Cross-sectional area reference values of nerves in the lower extremities using ultrasonography.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values of lower extremity nerves using ultrasonography have only been reported in a few studies and have been limited to white populations.
  
  
  METHODS
  For this study, 94 healthy Korean volunteers were recruited for measurement of the CSA at 7 sites of lower extremity nerves. The side-to-side difference in CSA was calculated for each nerve, and reference ranges were derived. External validity evaluation for the reference values was performed with 10 newly recruited volunteers at a different institution.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nerve CSA was correlated significantly with body mass index, weight, and height; however, the absolute value of the side-to-side difference had no significant correlation with demographic factors. The external validity was adequate for all sites, ranging from 80% to 100%.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The lower extremity nerve CSA values obtained in this study may provide normal reference values for the Asian population.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, #73, Inchon-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
authors.forename: Hung Youl
authors.initials: HY
authors.lastname: Seok
authors.forename: Jae Hong
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Sun Jae
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Won
authors.forename: Joon Shik
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Yoon
authors.forename: Kyung Seok
authors.initials: KS
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Byung-Jo
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Kim
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019412:Anatomy, Cross-Sectional; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000294:innervation; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cross-sectional area; lower extremity; nerve ultrasound; normal; reference values