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Comparative Study
. 2021 Jan;63(1):46-51.
doi: 10.1002/mus.27073. Epub 2020 Oct 18.

Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound imaging of sural nerve: A comparative study with nerve biopsy in progressive neuropathies

Angela Puma  1   2 , Nicolae Grecu  1 , Luisa Villa  1   3 , Catherine Butori  3 , Thomas Besson  2 , Chiara Cambieri  1   4 , Michele Cavalli  5 , Nicolas Azulay  6 , Sabrina Sacconi  1   7 , Charles Raffaelli  6
Affiliations
Comparative Study

Ultra-high-frequency ultrasound imaging of sural nerve: A comparative study with nerve biopsy in progressive neuropathies

Angela Puma et al. Muscle Nerve. 2021 Jan.

Abstract

Introduction: Nerve ultrasound has been used increasingly in clinical practice as a complementary test for diagnostic assessment of neuropathies, but nerve biopsy remains invaluable in certain cases. The aim of this study was to compare ultra-high-frequency ultrasound (UHF-US) to histologic findings in progressive polyneuropathies.

Methods: Ten patients with severe, progressive neuropathies underwent ultrasound evaluation of the sural nerve before nerve biopsy. Ultrasound data were compared with histologic results in a retrospective manner.

Results: Sural nerves were easily identified on UHF-US. Nerve hyperechogenicity correlated with inflammatory infiltrates on biopsy. Nerve fascicles could be identified and measured on ultrasound in the majority of patients.

Discussion: Hyperechogenicity on UHF-US may be a marker of nerve inflammation in neuropathies. Furthermore, the UHF-US probe allows for evaluation of sensory nerves in spite of their small size, providing valuable information on their size and on their internal structure.

Keywords: CSA, echogenicity, nerve biopsy, neuropathy, ultra-high-frequency ultrasound.

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References

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