| Nerve Ultrasound in the Assessment of Polyneuropathies |
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Received: 14 June 2018 • Revised: 5 December 2018 • Accepted: 12 February 2019 |
| Abstract |
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High-resolution ultrasonography (HRUS) is a diagnostic tool that is increasingly used in the work-up of peripheral nerve disease. As many peripheral nerves run a superficial course, they can be studied over a long tract, especially in the arms. This is a big advantage over magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) when multiple nerves have to be studied, as MRI is relatively expensive, time consuming and not readily available everywhere. Furthermore, different aspects of nerve morphology can be studied with HRUS. Nerve cross-sectional area (CSA) can be determined at multiple sites along the nerve. CSA can be measured at entrapment sites (e.g. the carpal tunnel, cubital tunnel, Guyon’s canal and the fibular head), but also at non-entrapment sites. Apart from nerve CSA, vascularization, echogenicity, fascicular pattern and endoneurial thickness can be investigated as well. All those modalities can give critical insight in the origin and development of various peripheral neuropathies. |
| Key Words:
ultrasonography, polyneuropathy, diagnosis |
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