Abstract
Background
In the past, the diagnosis of hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve mostly depended on electrophysiological examination, by which the location could not be diagnosed. There are few studies on the evaluation of hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) by ultrasonography.
Purpose
To evaluate the role of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve.
Material and Methods
A retrospective analysis of 12 patients with hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve was carried out, and the characteristics of the high-frequency ultrasonographic images were summarized and compared with surgical exploration.
Results
The 12 cases of hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve were all located in the median nerve of the distal upper arm, including nine cases of single hourglass-like fascicular constriction and three cases of multiple hourglass-like fascicular constrictions. High-frequency ultrasonography can accurately locate the hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve and the extent of neuropathy. The ultrasonographic images of hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve showed single or multiple hourglass-like change(s) in the median nerve of the distal upper arm. The nerve fascicles on both sides of the affected nerve with hourglass-like change thickened.
Conclusions
High-frequency ultrasonography could be a reliable, convenient, and non-invasive diagnostic imaging method for hourglass-like fascicular constriction(s) of the anterior interosseous nerve.
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