Ultrasound guidance for sural nerve conduction studies

Ultrasound can potentially identify nerves and guide recording and stimulating electrode placement for nerve conduction studies (NCS). This prospective study was performed to determine whether ultrasound guidance of sural NCS results in higher action potential amplitude, fewer stimuli required, lower stimulus strength required, and less pain experienced.

Fourteen healthy individuals underwent bilateral sural NCS, both with and without ultrasound guidance. Studies were separated by at least 48 h, and the order of testing was randomly assigned.

Ultrasound guidance resulted in significantly fewer stimuli and lower stimuli strength required to obtain supramaximal responses (P < 0.01-0.03). Ultrasound guidance required significantly more time to perform than standard sural NCS (P < 0.01). There was no difference in sural nerve amplitude or pain rating between the 2 groups.

Neuromuscular ultrasound can be used effectively to guide electrode placement during sural NCS. Muscle Nerve 59:705-707, 2019.