Imaging of the Peripheral Nerves of the Lower Extremity

Yoshimi Endo; Theodore T Miller; Darryl B Sneag

doi:10.1016/j.rcl.2022.10.011

Imaging of the Peripheral Nerves of the Lower Extremity

Radiol Clin North Am. 2023 Mar;61(2):381-392. doi: 10.1016/j.rcl.2022.10.011. Epub 2022 Dec 13.

Authors

Yoshimi Endo¹, Theodore T Miller², Darryl B Sneag²

Affiliations

¹ Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA. Electronic address: [email protected].
² Hospital for Special Surgery, 535 East 70th Street, New York, NY 10021, USA; Weill Medical College of Cornell University, Weill Cornell Medicine, 1300 York Avenue, New York, NY 10065, USA.

PMID: 36739152
DOI: 10.1016/j.rcl.2022.10.011

Abstract

Continued advancements in magnetic resonance (MR) neurography and ultrasound have made both indispensable tools for the workup of peripheral neuropathy. Ultrasound provides high spatial resolution of superficial nerves, and techniques such as "sonopalpation" and dynamic maneuvers can improve accuracy. Superior soft tissue contrast, ability to evaluate both superficial and deep nerves with similar high resolution, and reliable characterization of denervation are strengths of MR neurography. Nevertheless, familiarity with normal anatomy, anatomic variants, and common sites of nerve entrapment is essential for radiologists to use both MR neurography and ultrasound effectively.

Keywords: MR neurography; Nerve entrapment; Neuroma; Neuropathy; Peripheral nerve; Ultrasound.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Humans
Lower Extremity / diagnostic imaging
Lower Extremity / innervation
Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods
Nerve Compression Syndromes*
Peripheral Nerves / diagnostic imaging
Peripheral Nervous System Diseases* / diagnostic imaging