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Sonographic evaluation of peripheral nerve pathology in the emergency setting

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Abstract

High-resolution sonography has a growing role in both the diagnosis and management of traumatic and atraumatic peripheral nerve pathology. Sonography not only affords a cost-effective and time-efficient approach to interrogating long segments of peripheral nerves but also possesses unique advantages in terms of its dynamic, real-time nature with few clinical contraindications and limitations. In this review, we will initially discuss imaging techniques and characteristics of normal neural sonohistology, then address specific features and pitfalls pertaining to the spectrum of post-traumatic peripheral nerve injury. Additionally, we will highlight the more common sonographic applications in the clinical work-up of patients presenting with symptoms of dynamic neural impingement and entrapment. Finally, illustrative and clinical features of the more frequently encountered peripheral neural neoplastic pathologies will be addressed.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA

    Shane Mallon & Vladimir Starcevic

  2. Department of Radiology, Divisions of Emergency and Neuroradiology, Henry Ford Health System, Detroit, MI, USA

    Matthew Rheinboldt

  3. Cleveland Health System, Department of Radiology, Division of Emergency Radiology, University Hospitals, Cleveland, OH, USA

    Andrew Petraszko

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  1. Shane Mallon
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  2. Vladimir Starcevic
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  3. Matthew Rheinboldt
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  4. Andrew Petraszko
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Correspondence to Matthew Rheinboldt.

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Mallon, S., Starcevic, V., Rheinboldt, M. et al. Sonographic evaluation of peripheral nerve pathology in the emergency setting. Emerg Radiol 25, 521–531 (2018). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-018-1611-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10140-018-1611-1

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