title: Anatomical study of the iliohypogastric, ilioinguinal, and genitofemoral nerves using high-resolution ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  In this study we aimed to determine whether high-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the iliohypogastric (IH), ilioinguinal (II), and genitofemoral (GF) nerves and their relations.
  
  
  METHODS
  This investigation, initially undertaken in cadavers, was followed by a high-resolution US study in 30 healthy adult volunteers (180 nerves) by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists on separate occasions, using 2 different approaches (proximal to distal and distal to proximal). A 0-3 scale was used to assess nerve visibility. Location and course of the IH, II, and GF nerves and their relations to adjacent anatomical structures were analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nerves and their terminal branches were better visualized with the distal-to-proximal approach (P < 0.05). Visualization of the terminal branches was possible in up to 60% of volunteers.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the IH, II, and GF nerves at the level of the abdominal wall and the terminal branches in the majority of volunteers.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Via de Toni 14, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliafico
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bignotti
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cadoni
authors.forename: Maribel Miguel
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Perez
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martinoli
mesh_terms: D000005:Abdomen / Q000294:innervation*; D000328:Adult; D002102:Cadaver; D005835:Genitalia / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D007264:Inguinal Canal / Q000294:innervation*; D013127:Spinal Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: anatomy; genitofemoral nerve; iliohypogastric nerve; ilioinguinal nerve; ultrasound; “border” nerves