Type:
Educational Exhibit
Keywords:
Extremities, Neuroradiology peripheral nerve, Musculoskeletal system, Ultrasound, Localisation, Trauma
Authors:
E. F. M. P. Negrao, B. S. D. Flor de Lima, L. Melão, J. Ferreira Rebelo, C. Sousa; Porto/PT
DOI:
10.1594/ecr2018/C-2594
Background
Ultrasound (US) is one of many imaging modalities for evaluating the peripheral nervous system.
Its increasing utility has made it an important aid to clinical and electrophysiological examinations.
Apart from being portable and cost-effective,
it also presents virtually no side effects or contraindications,
due to being a non-invasive and painless means of imaging.
The superficial course of nerves is one of the reasons why it is becoming increasingly popular among radiologists and other physicians,
allowing a dynamic approach to every morphological aspect of the anatomy,
as well as a currently superior resolution in comparison to magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).
Thus far,
the main role of US has been mainly the assessment of specific entrapment neuropathies,
like carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) or ulnar neuropathy.
Nevertheless,
with the development of better probes and techniques,
its performance spectrum is being further widened to the evaluation of several polyneuropathies,
peripheral nerve trauma and neoplasms,
or infectious injury.
Finally,
image guided intervention is also a field for US,
growingly used for nerve blockage and other anaesthetic procedures.
US is,
therefore,
finding its place as an important adjunct to physical examination and electromyography (EMG),
completing information regarding nerve function status,
enhancing diagnostic information in the assessment of the peripheral nervous system.