摘要
High-resolution ultrasound has been used recently to characterize median and ulnar nerves, but is seldom used to characterize radial nerves. The radial nerve is more frequently involved in en- trapment syndromes than the ulnar and median nerves. However, the reference standard for normal radial nerves has not been established. Thus, this study measured the cross-sectional areas of radial nerves of 200 healthy male or female volunteers, aged 18 to 75, using high-resolution ultrasound. The results showed that mean cross-sectional areas of radial nerves at 4 cm upon the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and mid-humerus （midpoint between the elbow crease and axilla） were 5.14± 1.24 and 5.08 ± 1.23 mm2, respectively. The age and the dominant side did not affect the results, but the above-mentioned cross-sectional areas were larger in males （5.31± 1.25 and 5.19 ±1.23 mm2） than in females （4.93 ± 1.21 and 4.93 ± 1.23 mm2, respectively）. In addition, the cross-sectional areas of radial nerves were positively correlated with height and weight （r = 0.38, 0.36, respectively, both P 〈 0.05）. These data provide basic clinical data for the use of high-resolution ultrasound for the future diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evalua- tion of peripheral neuropathies.
High-resolution ultrasound has been used recently to characterize median and ulnar nerves, but is seldom used to characterize radial nerves. The radial nerve is more frequently involved in en- trapment syndromes than the ulnar and median nerves. However, the reference standard for normal radial nerves has not been established. Thus, this study measured the cross-sectional areas of radial nerves of 200 healthy male or female volunteers, aged 18 to 75, using high-resolution ultrasound. The results showed that mean cross-sectional areas of radial nerves at 4 cm upon the lateral epicondyle of the humerus and mid-humerus （midpoint between the elbow crease and axilla） were 5.14± 1.24 and 5.08 ± 1.23 mm2, respectively. The age and the dominant side did not affect the results, but the above-mentioned cross-sectional areas were larger in males （5.31± 1.25 and 5.19 ±1.23 mm2） than in females （4.93 ± 1.21 and 4.93 ± 1.23 mm2, respectively）. In addition, the cross-sectional areas of radial nerves were positively correlated with height and weight （r = 0.38, 0.36, respectively, both P 〈 0.05）. These data provide basic clinical data for the use of high-resolution ultrasound for the future diagnosis, treatment, and prognostic evalua- tion of peripheral neuropathies.
基金
supported by the Natural Science Foundation of Guizhou Province,No.J[2009]2157
