engleski

Median nerve imaging using high-resolution ultrasound in healthy subjects

Although electroneuro- and electromyography are still leading diagnostic methods for investigation of peripheral nerves function, they do not provide information regarding their morphology. This study was conducted to evaluate the suitability of ultrasonography in visualization of median nerve in healthy volunteers. Twenty-five asymptomatic volunteers (17 women and 8 men) have participated in this study, age ranging from 21 – 47 years. Examinees' height was measured and handedness ascertained, as well as average daily time spent working on a computer. Device used was Aloka Prosound Alpha10 Premier with 13MHz probe, using custom preset for musculo-skeletal sonography. Following dimensions of median nerve at the pisiform bone level were measured bilaterally: cross-sectional area (CSA), circumference, longer and shorter diameter. Using latter values, flattening ratio was calculated. Median nerve was easily depicted in all of the participants as well as the surrounding soft-tissue structures. Average CSA of median nerve was 9.70mm2 (range 5 - 15mm2, with SD of 2.25mm). Mean flattening-ratio (FR) (longer/shorter diameter) was 4.04, ranging from 2.16 to 6.08. Median height was 172.72cm and only one subject was left-handed. Average daily time spent working on a computer (total average of 3.2hrs/day) did not correlate with CSA or FR values for the dominant hand. In four subjects, an aberrant artery accompanying n. medianus was visualized. High-resolution sonographic imaging is a quick and noninvasive method for assessment of various morphological properties of median nerve, and can be used to enhance diagnostic efficiency.

median nerve - pathophysiology; median nerve - ultrasonography; carpal tunnel syndrome - diagnosis; carpal tunnel syndrome - pathophysiology

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