Ultrasonographic Examination of Peripheral Nerves in Diabetic Peripheral Neuropathy.

Diabetes has been a major problem in India. Its slow growth is associated with many complications, most common being peripheral neuropathy. An easy and cheap investigation to diagnose the neuropathy may help in early diagnosis and decrease the economic burden on the society. The purpose of the study was to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography (USG) in the evaluation of diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN).METHODSFifty adult diabetic patients with clinically diagnosed DPN and 50 diabetics without DPN were included in the study. USG of the medial, ulnar, and common peroneal nerves was done. The mean cross-sectional area (CSA) of the involved nerves was measured in the two groups at identical positions. The CSA was compared between the two groups, and Student t-test was applied to assess statistical significance.RESULTSThe mean thickness of median nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at 5 cms proximal to wrist (7.34 ± 1.24 vs 11.12 ± 1.56, p<0.0001); was significantly less at mid-forearm (6.84 ± 0.77 vs 10.36 ± 1.72, p<0.0001); and was significantly less at elbow (7.36 ± 0.75 vs 10.2 ± 1.64, p<0.0001). The mean thickness of ulnar nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at wrist joint (6.98 ± 0.89 vs 8.44 ± 1.34, p<0.0001); and was significantly less behind medial epicondyle (7.44 ± 0.93 vs 9.36 ± 0.98, p<0.0001). The mean thickness of common peroneal nerve among diabetics without DPN was significantly less at neck of fibula (7.26 ± 1.34 vs 9.3 ± 1.67, P<0.0001); and the mean thickness of posterior tibial nerve was also significantly less at 5 cms above medial malleolus (7.06 ± 1.25 vs 9.16 ± 1.61, P<0.0001). There was a significant increase in the CSA of the median, ulnar, posterior tibial and common peroneal, in DPN patients as compared to diabetics without DPN (p<0.05).CONCLUSIONSUSG demonstrates a morphological change in patients with DPN in the form of an increase in CSAs, which was statistically significant. USG can objectively complement other diagnostic investigations such as nerve conduction studies. High resolution ultrasonography of peripheral nerves has the potential to become the investigation of first choice for the evaluation of DPN.