Study of high-resolution ultrasonographic evaluation of peripheral nerve lesion in extremities / 中华显微外科杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the diagnostic value of high resolution ultrasonography in peripheral nerve lesions Methods Sonographic examinations of peripheral nerves with 10 MHz probe were performed in vitro (fresh amputated specimen), in vivo (healthy volunteers), and in 28 patients with peripheral nerve lesions caused by trauma, compression and tumors preoperatively Sonograms were compared with the corresponding intraoperative findings Results The normal nerve displayed and echogenic fascicular texture with round to oval corss sectional structure on both in vitro and in vivo sonograms In traumatic lesions, the interruption of fascicular pattern reflected the disruption of nerve, and ill delineated fascicular pattern indicated nerve adhesion Centrally hypoechoic and peripherally hyperechoic changes were seen in compressive lesions Definitive relations between nerve and tumor were demonstrated in case of nerve tumor The diagnostic rate by ultrasonography was 64% when the intraoperative findings were regarded as criteria Conclusion Ultrasonography is of some diagnostic value and may have great potential to help direct treatment and follow up in peripheral nerve lesions