Editorial

Abstract

Imaging of the nerves has dramatically improved over the past few years. Most of these advances have substantially increased the spatial resolution of nerve imaging and offer new perspectives for the assessment of the pathological processes affecting these small anatomical structures.Three articles deal with the assessment of peripheral neuropathies in three different anatomical regions. A. Blum et al. from Nancy, France, discuss the nerves around the shoulder; C. Martinoli et al. from Genova, Italy, the nerves about the hip; and B. Damarey et al. from Lille, France, the nerves around the knee. In most cases, these conditions derive from mechanical or dynamic compression of a segment of a nerve within a narrow tunnel, an opening in a fibrous structure, or a passageway close to a ligament or a muscle. Diagnosis of these neuropathies requires an in-depth knowledge of the normal imaging anatomy and awareness of the anatomic and pathologic factors that may predispose or cause a nerve injury. The aim of these three articles is to provide a comprehensive review of shoulder, hip and knee neuropathies with an emphasis on the relevant anatomy, aetiology, clinical presentation, and their imaging appearance.E. Abreu et al., from Lille, then provide a review of the most relevant clinical and radiological characteristics of neurogenic tumors and pseudotumors. This article is followed by the surgeons’ point of view and H. Kubiena et al., from Vienna, provide a comprehensive discussion of what the radiologist should know about peripheral neural sheath tumors.Finally, an original article from C. Canella, from Lille, demonstrates how high resolution ultrasonography may allow a precise assessment of the course and relationships of the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior cervical triangle of the neck.I would like to thank the editors for offering me the opportunity of acting as guest editor for this special issue on nerves. I also wish to express my gratitude to the authors who contributed to this issue of European Journal of Radiology for their excellent contribution. Imaging of the nerves has dramatically improved over the past few years. Most of these advances have substantially increased the spatial resolution of nerve imaging and offer new perspectives for the assessment of the pathological processes affecting these small anatomical structures. Three articles deal with the assessment of peripheral neuropathies in three different anatomical regions. A. Blum et al. from Nancy, France, discuss the nerves around the shoulder; C. Martinoli et al. from Genova, Italy, the nerves about the hip; and B. Damarey et al. from Lille, France, the nerves around the knee. In most cases, these conditions derive from mechanical or dynamic compression of a segment of a nerve within a narrow tunnel, an opening in a fibrous structure, or a passageway close to a ligament or a muscle. Diagnosis of these neuropathies requires an in-depth knowledge of the normal imaging anatomy and awareness of the anatomic and pathologic factors that may predispose or cause a nerve injury. The aim of these three articles is to provide a comprehensive review of shoulder, hip and knee neuropathies with an emphasis on the relevant anatomy, aetiology, clinical presentation, and their imaging appearance. E. Abreu et al., from Lille, then provide a review of the most relevant clinical and radiological characteristics of neurogenic tumors and pseudotumors. This article is followed by the surgeons’ point of view and H. Kubiena et al., from Vienna, provide a comprehensive discussion of what the radiologist should know about peripheral neural sheath tumors. Finally, an original article from C. Canella, from Lille, demonstrates how high resolution ultrasonography may allow a precise assessment of the course and relationships of the spinal accessory nerve in the posterior cervical triangle of the neck. I would like to thank the editors for offering me the opportunity of acting as guest editor for this special issue on nerves. I also wish to express my gratitude to the authors who contributed to this issue of European Journal of Radiology for their excellent contribution.