Ultrasound of the normal vagus nerve cross-sectional area in the carotid sheath

The aim of this article is to utilize ultrasound to evaluate the normal cross-sectional area (CSA)of the vagus nerve (VN) in the carotid sheath. This study included 86 VNs in 43 healthy subjects (15 men, 28 women); mean age 42.1 years and mean body mass index 26.2 kg/m(2). For each subject, the bilateral VNs were identified by US at the anterolateral neck within the common carotid sheaths. One radiologist obtained 3 separate CSA measurements for each of the bilateral VNs with complete transducer removal between each measurement. Additionally, for each participant, demographic information of age and gender as well as body mass index, weight, and height were documented. The mean CSA of the right VN in the carotid sheath was 2.1 and 1.9 mm(2) for the left VN. The right VN CSA was significantly larger than the left VN (P < .012). No statistically significant correlation was noted in relation to height, weight, and age. We believe that the reference values for the normal CSA of the VN obtained in our study, could help in the sonographic evaluation of VN enlargement, as it relates to the diagnosis of various diseases affecting the VN.

Automated summary

The aim of this study was to use ultrasound to assess the normal cross-sectional area (CSA) of the vagus nerve (VN) in the carotid sheath. The study included 86 VNs in 43 healthy subjects, and the mean CSAs were measured for each VN. The results showed that the mean CSA of the right VN was significantly larger than the left VN. There was no significant correlation between CSA and height, weight, or age.