Peripheral nerves: ultrasound-guided interventional procedures

Abstract

Specific ultrasound (US)-guided interventional procedures on peripheral nerves are reviewed in this article including regional anesthesia, biopsy of neural lesions, and some injection therapies. For these procedures, US is the best modality to provide a safe imaging guidance because of its excellent spatial resolution and real-time capabilities. With US guidance, the radiologist can visualize the needle tip continuously and ensure that the needle is placed precisely in the desired location, avoiding the risk of inadvertent nerve damage. Practical tips and tricks for US-guided needle placement, biopsy of neural lesions, and US-guided therapy are reviewed in this article. The use of US-guided injections in specific clinical settings, such as the percutaneous treatment of carpal tunnel syndrome, Morton's and saphenous neuromas, painful stump neuromas, piriformis syndrome, and meralgia paresthetica are also illustrated here. US allows the clinician to inject drugs with little or no patient discomfort.