Ultrasonography of the peripheral nervous system

Abstract

With improvements in ultrasound (US) imaging equipment and refinements in scanning technique, an increasing number of peripheral nerves and related pathologic conditions can be identified. Modern US imaging supports the clinical examination and electrophysiologic testing in setting the diagnosis, and enhances this information by illuminating the morphological aspects and etiology of peripheral nerve pathology. US can readily be used for detection of nerve abnormalities caused by trauma, tumors, inflammation and a variety of nonneoplastic conditions, including compressive neuropathies. Well recognized advantages of the method such as the possibility of a dynamic examination, assessing long nerves segments in a short time, bed-side-availability, non-invasivity and low cost, make US the ideal imaging tool in peripheral nerve disease.