Cross-sectional area reference values for sonography of nerves in the upper extremities

Introduction Detailed morphological features of the peripheral nerves could improve the diagnostic sensitivity in some polyneuropathies. In this study we aimed to establish multiple-site, cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values for peripheral nerves of upper extremities in a healthy Chinese population. Methods One hundred eleven healthy subjects, 15 to 70 years of age, were prospectively recruited. CSA at predetermined sites of the median, ulnar, radial nerves, and brachial plexus was measured bilaterally. Ten consecutive sites were studied along the median/ulnar nerves. Results The CSA at ten sites of the median nerve ranged from 5.59 +/- 0.89 to 8.43 +/- 1.30 mm(2), and for the ulnar nerve from 2.94 +/- 0.57 to 5.63 +/- 1.08 mm(2). Both age and gender correlated with nerve CSA at most sites. Discussion CSA was not uniform along the length of the median and ulnar nerves. The multiple-site reference values could be helpful for investigating polyneuropathies in the Asian population.