Ultrasound versus MRI in common fibular neuropathy.
We prospectively compared ultrasound (US) and MRI in patients with common fibular neuropathy.



Forty adult patients with clinical suspicion of common fibular neuropathy and 40 healthy controls underwent both US and MRI. US and MRI datasets were randomized for prospective reading.



The overall sensitivity of US and MRI for diagnosing fibular neuropathy was 90% (95% confidence interval [CI], 79.7%-97.3%) and 87.5% (95% CI, 71.55%-93.1%), respectively. The overall specificity of US and MRI was 92% (95% CI, 77.45%-96.1%) and 85% (95% CI, 73.3%-94.4%), respectively. The overall sensitivity and specificity of US combined with MRI were 94% (95% CI, 0.80%-0.99%) and 84% (95% CI, 0.70%-0.91%), respectively. Overall intra- and inter-observer agreements among 3 readers were 0.76% (95% CI, 0.62%-0.85%) and 0.74% (95% CI, 0.65%-0.81%).



US diagnostic accuracy for common fibular neuropathy was slightly higher than that of MRI. Muscle Nerve 55: 849-857, 2017.
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Bianca
B
Bignotti
Ente Ospedaliero Ospedali Galliera, Genova, Italy.
Andrea
A
Assini
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Alessio
A
Signori
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.
Carlo
C
Martinoli
Institute of Anatomy, Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), University of Genoa, Via L.B. Alberti 2, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Alberto
A
Tagliafico
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D020427:Peroneal Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D014463:Ultrasonography; D055815:Young Adult
fibular nerve; magnetic resonance imaging; sensitivity; specificity; ultrasound