High-Resolution Sonography of Posttraumatic Neuroma of the Superficial Radial Nerve

Abstract

The superficial radial nerve (SRN) is a sensory branch of the radial nerve which supplies the dorsolateral aspect of the hand and the first 3 digits. The radial nerve, a nerve with mixed fibers, branches into the pure motor posterior interosseous nerve and the pure sensory superficial radial nerve just above the arcade of Frohse in the proximal forearm. In the distal forearm, the superficial radial nerve transverses a superficial subcutaneous course between the tendons of the brachioradialis and extensor carpi radialis longus muscles as it crosses the lateral edge of the radius. Many factors may contribute to the development of a lesion of the SRN. The most common anatomic site of compression corresponds to the area of transmission of the nerve from its submuscular position beneath the brachioradialis muscle to its subcutaneous position on the surface of the extensor carpi radialis longus muscle.