Sonographic imaging of the radial nerve proper: Five potential entrapment sites

Abstract

Introduction:

Entrapment of the radial nerve proper can cause sensory and motor symptoms which can be challenging to clinically interpret and identify.

Method:

A review of literature relating to radial nerve proper entrapment and the sonographic technique to image and assess the radial nerve proper was performed, and results were analysed and synthesised.

Findings:

There are five main sites of potential radial nerve proper entrapment which sonographers can readily assess to exclude or identify the cause, site and degree of any neural involvement.

Discussion:

Ultrasound of the radial nerve proper when used appropriately provides a fast, cost-effective method to image and assess the radial nerve proper and its surrounding structures and identify entrapment.

Conclusion:

Real-time correlation of sonographic findings regarding the radial nerve proper and sensory symptoms with the sonographic Tinel test can help guide patient management and interventions such as local anaesthesia for pain relief or hydrodissection to free entrapped nerves from surrounding tissues.