Extraneural findings during peripheral nerve ultrasound: Prevalence and further assessment.
BACKGROUND
In this study we evaluated the frequency and further assessment of extraneural findings encountered during peripheral nerve ultrasound (US).


METHODS
Our retrospective review identified 278 peripheral nerve US examinations of 229 patients performed between December 2014 and December 2015. Reports were reviewed to assess the number of studies without peripheral nerve abnormalities and the frequency and further assessment of extraneural findings.


RESULTS
A total of 107 peripheral nerve US examinations of 90 patients (49 men and 41 women, mean age 55 ± 16 years) did not report peripheral nerve abnormalities. Extraneural findings were observed in 24 of 107 (22.4%) studies. Fifteen of the 278 [5.4% (95% confidence interval 2.7%-8.1%)] studies led to a recommendation for additional imaging or clinical evaluation of an extraneural finding.


CONCLUSIONS
At least 5.4% (15 of 278) of peripheral nerve US studies led to additional clinical or imaging assessment. Muscle Nerve 57: 65-69, 2018.
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Bianca
B
Bignotti
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Federico
F
Zaottini
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Sonia
S
Airaldi
Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, Largo Rosanna Benzi 8, 16132, Genoa, Italy.
Carlo
C
Martinoli
University of Genova and Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria (AOU) Istituto di Ricovero e cura a carattere scientifico (IRCCS) San Martino Istituto Nazionale per la Ricerca sul Cancro (IST), Genoa, Italy.
Alberto
A
Tagliafico
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007091:Image Processing, Computer-Assisted; D033162:Incidental Findings; D035002:Lower Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010525:Peripheral Nerves / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014463:Ultrasonography; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation; D055815:Young Adult
assessment; extraneural; finding; peripheral nerve; prevalence; ultrasound