Ultrasound vs. MRI for Detecting Focal Peripheral Nerve Pathology

A retrospective study suggests that the accuracy of ultrasound may be superior to that of magnetic resonance imaging for the diagnosis of peripheral nerve pathology, with significant potential for cost savings.

Focal peripheral nerve pathology typically is suspected based on a careful clinical assessment and the results of nerve conduction studies and electromyography. Structural imaging of the relevant components of the peripheral nervous system forms part of the clinical assessment and is traditionally accomplished using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Increasingly, neuromuscular ultrasound is being used, but few studies have formally compared the two imaging approaches. Now, investigators have retrospectively reviewed the records of 53 patients who were referred for neuromuscular ultrasound and had also undergone MRI of the same limb for the same indication. The accuracy of the two imaging techniques was compared against an independent refere…

Reviewing Author

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Grant / Research supportNIH NeuroBioBank; ALS Association; NIH/National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke; NIH/National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences; FDA; Department of Defense

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee

Michael Benatar, MD, MS, PhD

Disclosures

Editorial boardsCochrane Collaboration

Leadership positions in professional societiesMuscle Study Group Executive Committee