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An update on addressing important peripheral nerve problems: challenges and potential solutions

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An Erratum to this article was published on 29 May 2017

This article has been updated

Abstract

From time to time it is thoughtful and productive to review a medical field and reflect upon what are the major issues that need to be addressed and what is being done to do so. This review article is not meant to be all-inclusive but rather focuses on four evolving areas in the field of peripheral nerve disorders and treatments: (1) nerve surgery under ultrasound guidance using a new ultra-minimally invasive thread technique; (2) evolving magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasound imaging techniques that are helping to both diagnose and treat a variety of peripheral nerve problems including entrapment neuropathies, traumatic nerve injuries, and masses arising from nerves; (3) promoting recovery after nerve injury using electrical stimulation; and (4) developing animal models to reproduce a severe nerve injury (neurotmetic grade in continuity) that requires a surgical intervention and repair. In each area we first describe the current challenges and then discuss new and emerging techniques and approaches. It is our hope that this article will bring added attention and resources to help better address peripheral nerve problems that remain a challenge for both patients and physicians.

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Change history

  • 29 May 2017

    An erratum to this article has been published.

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Correspondence to Michel Kliot.

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All authors certify that they have no affiliations with or involvement in any organization or entity with any financial interest (such as honoraria; educational grants; participation in speakers’ bureaus; membership, employment, consultancies, stock ownership, or other equity interest; and expert testimony or patent-licensing arrangements), or non-financial interest (such as personal or professional relationships, affiliations, knowledge or beliefs) in the subject matter or materials discussed in this article.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. For this type of study formal consent is not required. All procedures performed in studies involving animals were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institution or practice at which the studies were conducted.

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The original version of this article was revised: Caption for figure 7 was corrected.

An erratum to this article is available at https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3232-y.

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Ray, W.Z., Mahan, M.A., Guo, D. et al. An update on addressing important peripheral nerve problems: challenges and potential solutions. Acta Neurochir 159, 1765–1773 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3203-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00701-017-3203-3

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