The utilization of hight-frequency ultrasonography in diagnosis and treatment of peripheral nerve injury

Abstract

Objective To observe the value of high-frequency ultrasonography in the diagnosis and treatment of peripheral nerve injury. Methods A total of 22 patients with peripheral nerve injury were examined by high-frequency ultrasonography for the cause of nerve injury. The operative decisions were made according the results of ultrasonography and electroneurophysiology examination. The coincidence rate of ultrasongraphy with intraoperative findings was calculated and the nerve function of patients was followed-up for 1 year to estimate the therapy effects. Results The causes and positions of nerve injury were found by ultrasonography, which were consisted with the intraoperation findings and the coincidence rate was 100%. The function of lesioned nerves was improved after the surgical treatment. The motor nerve conduction velocities (MCV) of 12 patients with conservative treatment were increased(P<0.01) after 1 year of follow-up, the pre-operation MCV, postoperation MCV and the increased rate were (36.7±12.2) m/s, (48.2±14.4) m/s and 35.0%, respectively. While the MCV of 10 operating patients were increased (P<0.01) too, the pre-operation MCV, postoperation MCV and the increased rate were (20.8±7.9) m/s, (39.6±13.2) m/s and 102.8%, respectively. Conclusions High-frequency ultrasonography was a suitable imaging diagnosis tool for peripheral nerve injury. Accompanying with electrophysiological examination, it could explore the causes of nerve injury, determine the treatment and avoid unnecessary operation. Key words: Peripheral nerves; Ultrasonography; Electrophysiological examination