[Ultrasonography of peripheral nerves]

With the recent advances in broadband transducer technology and refinements in scanning technique, an increasing number of nerves and related pathologic conditions are identified with sonography. High-resolution sonography can support clinical and electrophysiological testing for detection of a variety of nerve abnormalities, including entrapment neuropathies, traumas, infectious disorders, and tumors. In addition, procedures of regional anesthesia and percutaneous treatment of painful neuromas can be effectively guided by sonography in real time. This article addresses the normal US appearance of peripheral nerves and discusses the potential role of this technique to image nerve disorders in specific clinical settings.