Normal Anatomy and Compression Areas of Nerves of the Foot and Ankle: US and MR Imaging with Anatomic Correlation.
The anatomy of the nerves of the foot and ankle is complex, and familiarity with the normal anatomy and course of these nerves as well as common anatomic variants is essential for correct identification at imaging. Ultrasonography (US) and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging allow visualization of these nerves and may facilitate diagnosis of various compression syndromes, such as "jogger's heel," Baxter neuropathy, and Morton neuroma. It may be difficult to distinguish the nerves from adjacent vasculature at MR imaging, and US can help in differentiation. The authors review the normal anatomy and common variants of the nerves of the foot and ankle, with use of dissected specimens and correlative US and MR imaging findings. In addition, the authors illustrate proper probe positioning, which is essential for visualizing the nerves at US. The authors' discussion focuses on the superficial and deep peroneal, sural, saphenous, tibial, medial and lateral plantar, medial and inferior calcaneal, common digital, and medial proper plantar digital nerves.
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Michel
M
De Maeseneer
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Hardi
H
Madani
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Leon
L
Lenchik
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Monica
M
Kalume Brigido
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Maryam
M
Shahabpour
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Stefaan
S
Marcelis
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Johan
J
de Mey
From the Department of Radiology, Universitair Ziekenhuis Brussel, Laarbeeklaan 101, 1090 Brussels, Belgium (M.D.M., M.S., J.D.M.); Department of Radiology, Royal Free Hospital, London Deanery, London, England (H.M.); Department of Radiology, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC (L.L.); Department of Radiology, University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor, Mich (M.K.B.); Department of Radiology, Sint Andries Ziekenhuis Tielt, Tielt, Belgium (S.M.); and Department of Experimental Anatomy, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Brussels, Belgium (A.S.).
Aldo
A
Scafoglieri
D000842:Ankle / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D016477:Artifacts; D005528:Foot / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000098:blood supply / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation*; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology*; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013497:Sural Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013979:Tibial Nerve / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014463:Ultrasonography