title: Electrophysiological/sonographic mapping of the superficial peroneal nerve to facilitate biopsy under local anaesthesia.
abstract: The anatomical surface markings for the superficial peroneal nerve have been described and it may be preferred for biopsy in cases of suspected vasculitis as biopsy of the peroneus brevis muscle increases diagnostic yield. The procedure is however unfamiliar to many surgeons and the anatomical variability of the subcutaneous part underestimated. Where the nerve has some preserved sensory nerve action potential it may be mapped pre-operatively, greatly facilitating minimally traumatic biopsy with potential logistical and wound healing advantages. We review the literature relating to the anatomical course of the nerve and present a case illustrating the advantages of pre-operative mapping, given its location in the anterior compartment of the leg 26% of the time.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurosurgery , King's College Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: Andrei
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tudose
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurosurgery , King's College Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: Florence R A
authors.initials: FR
authors.lastname: Hogg
authors.affiliation: b Department of Clinical Neurophysiology , King's College Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: Jeremy D P
authors.initials: JD
authors.lastname: Bland
authors.affiliation: a Department of Neurosurgery , King's College Hospital , London , UK.|c Department of Clinical Neuroscience , Institute of Psychiatry, King's College Hospital , London , UK.
authors.forename: Daniel C
authors.initials: DC
authors.lastname: Walsh
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials; D000772:Anesthesia, Local / Q000379:methods*; D001706:Biopsy / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D009431:Neural Conduction; D010543:Peroneal Nerve / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D014463:Ultrasonography
keywords: Nerve biopsy; anatomy; operative technique; superficial peroneal nerve; ultrasonography