[Investigating peripheral nerve injuries: what's new in 2013?]

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and ultrasonographic (US) investigations have recently became prominent tools for the investigation of peripheral nerve injuries. MRI is the most valuable for the study of proximal nervous structures, i.e. roots and plexi, whereas US is better suited for the investigation of distal nerves, including entrapment syndromes. However, as nerve conduction studies and electromyographic studies still have a better sensitivity and specificity than MRI and US, they remain the gold standard for the evaluation of the peripheral nervous system.