title: Fascicular involvement in common fibular neuropathy: Evaluation with ultrasound.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to demonstrate single fascicular involvement in common fibular (CF) neuropathy using high-resolution ultrasound (US).
  
  
  METHODS
  We prospectively enrolled 40 adult patients with clinical and electrodiagnostic suspected CF neuropathy between April 2012 and December 2014. Two musculoskeletal radiologists used high-resolution US probes to prospectively and independently evaluate the CF nerve bilaterally in these patients. The presence of single fascicular involvement (increased cross-sectional area and loss of fascicular echotexture) was recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  US revealed involvement of only 1 fascicular component of the CF nerve in 7 patients. In all these patients, US revealed involvement of the anterior fascicles corresponding to fibers for the deep fibular nerve.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  High-resolution US allowed identification of single fascicular involvement in CF neuropathy. Anterior fascicular involvement was present in up to 17% of patients with suspected CF neuropathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Bianca
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Bignotti
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cadoni
authors.affiliation: Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Unità Operativa S.C. Neurologia, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Assini
authors.affiliation: Department of Health Sciences, University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Carlo
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Martinoli
authors.affiliation: Institute of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tagliafico
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: diagnosis; fascicle; fibular nerve; mononeuropathy; ultrasound