Keywords:
Trauma, Education, Ultrasound, Neuroradiology peripheral nerve, Musculoskeletal system
Authors:
N. Romano, A. Fischetti, I. Mussetto, A. Muda; Genoa/IT
DOI:
10.1594/essr2017/P-0232
Background
Traumatic neuroma results from abnormal nerve regeneration in a reaction to surgery or injury.
After a peripheral nerve lesion,
the mechanical trauma leads nerve’s regeneration,
that will be initiated by axonal outgrowth from the proximal nerve end.
Common histopathologic features of a neuroma,
are nerve fibers and fascicles in various stages of maturation and varying orientation,
and the presence of scar tissue.
A neuroma can be either asymptomatic or symptomatic.
When a neuroma is symptomatic,
pain is the most important feature together with altered sensation in the distribution of the involved nerve.
Pain associated with a scar and altered sensibility in the distribution of the involved nerve are the clinical hallmarks of a neuroma.
If the pain lasts for a long time,
patients report deep pain,
which is aching or throbbing pain,
but fortunately severe and persisting pain from a neuroma is unusual.
HRUS is very important for the diagnosis of neuromas and thanks to its excellent spatial resolution is an optimal imaging techinque for the study of small peripheral nerves.