AI Article Synopsis

  • Ultrasound (US) has become crucial for monitoring changes in injured nerves post-surgery, but the link between these changes and actual nerve function isn’t fully clear.
  • A study followed 20 patients with significant nerve injuries over several years, analyzing nerve structure using US alongside clinical assessments of sensitivity and motor function.
  • Results indicated that US could effectively detect structural changes in nerves after trauma, suggesting a correlation between continuous nerve fascicles seen on US and improved sensory and motor functions after 12 months.

Article Abstract

 Ultrasound (US) has gained in importance for the visualization of morphological changes of injured nerves. After surgical repair, changes in neural structures are seen over time. The correlation of morphologic changes in US with the corresponding nerve function is uncertain. The aim of this study is to determine a correlation of post-traumatic morphological nerve changes with US and with nerve function after surgery.  This dual-center, prospective cohort study was conducted between 2017 and 2022 and included 20 mixed sensory motor nerve lesions. Patients were followed up clinically (sensitivity, pain, and motor function) with US and electroneuromyography. We determined the US changes of the nerves including the interaction of the tissue after nerve repair and any correlation with nerve function. With US nerve cross-sectional area (CSA), the number of traversing fascicles, hypo-echogenicity, and presence of perineural scar were analyzed.  20 lesions (12 median and 8 ulnar nerves) of 18 patients with intraoperatively confirmed nerve injury of at least 50% in the forearm were included. The average CSA was over 20 mm throughout the follow-up period, corresponding to a neuroma in continuity compared to the opposite side (10.75 mm ). Sensibility and motor function at 12 months were 6xS3/4 and 10xM3-5. There was a statistically significant correlation between continuous fascicles on US at 6 months and sensitivity at 12 months.  This study supports the presence of post-traumatic morphological changes in nerve fibers with US after traumatic injury. Morphological changes in nerve structure after trauma can be detected with US indicating a correlation between continuity of nerve fascicles and development of sensitivity and motor function.

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Source
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11472627PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1055/a-2378-6902DOI Listing

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