title: In Vivo MR Microneurography of the Tibial and Common Peroneal Nerves.
abstract: MR microneurography is a noninvasive technique that provides visualization of the microanatomy of peripheral nerves, otherwise available only with histopathology. The objective of this study was to present a protocol to visualize the microstructure of peripheral nerves in vivo, using a 3T MRI scanner with a clinical set of coils and sequences. The tibial and the common peroneal nerves of healthy volunteers were imaged above the medial malleolus and at the level of the fibular head, respectively. The acquired images provided details about the internal structure of peripheral nerves, with visualization of the fascicles, the interfascicular fat, the epineurium, and the perineurium. MR microneurography can be performed in a clinical setting with acceptable imaging times and can be a potentially powerful tool that complements standard MR neurography.
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Paolo F
authors.initials: PF
authors.lastname: Felisaz
authors.affiliation: Radiology Service, VA San Diego Healthcare System, San Diego, CA 92161, USA.
authors.forename: Eric Y
authors.initials: EY
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.affiliation: Medical Physics Department, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Irene
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4324-581X
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Carne
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Montagna
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8345-2410
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Balducci
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Giulia
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-4385-6135
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Maugeri
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Department, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Anna
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-5654-4088
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Pichiecchio
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Institute of Radiology, IRCCS Policlinico S. Matteo Foundation, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Fabrizio
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-6601-2210
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Calliada
authors.affiliation: Radiology Department, IRCCS Salvatore Maugeri Foundation, Scientific Institute of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Maurizia
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Baldi
authors.affiliation: Neuroradiology Department, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, 27100 Pavia, Italy ; Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, University of Pavia, 27100 Pavia, Italy.
authors.forename: Stefano
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-8414-9077
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bastianello