Review Article “Spotlight on Ultrasonography in the Diagnosis of Peripheral Nerve Disease: The Evidence to Date”

Abstract

Andrew Hannaford,1 Steve Vucic,1 Matthew C Kiernan,2 Neil G Simon3 1Westmead Clinical School, Westmead Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia; 2Brain and Mind Centre, University of Sydney, University of Sydney and Department of Neurology, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, Sydney, Australia; 3Northern Beaches Clinical School, Macquarie University, Sydney, AustraliaCorrespondence: Neil G Simon Suite 6a, Northern Beaches Hospital, 105 Frenchs Forest Road W, Frenchs Forest, NSW, 2086, AustraliaTel [phone]Fax [phone]Email [email protected]: Neuromuscular ultrasound is rapidly becoming incorporated into clinical practice as a standard tool in the assessment of peripheral nerve diseases. Ultrasound complements clinical phenotyping and electrodiagnostic evaluation, providing critical structural anatomical information to enhance diagnosis and identify structural pathology. This review article examines the evidence supporting neuromuscular ultrasound in the diagnosis of compressive mononeuropathies, traumatic nerve injury, generalised peripheral neuropathy and motor neuron disease. Extending the sonographic evaluation of nerves beyond simple morphological measurements has the potential to improve diagnostics in peripheral neuropathy, as well as advancing the understanding of pathological mechanisms, which in turn will promote precise therapies and improve therapeutic outcomes.Keywords: neuromuscular ultrasound, peripheral neuropathy, entrapment neuropathy, CIDP, hereditary neuropathy, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Keywords

• neuromuscular ultrasound
• peripheral neuropathy
• entrapment neuropathy
• cidp
• hereditary neuropathy
• amyotrophic lateral sclerosis