Related Experiment Video

Updated: Nov 21, 2025

Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies
06:40

Screening of Axonal Degeneration in Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Using Ultrasonography and Nerve Conduction Studies

Published on: January 11, 2019

11.9K

Variations ignored in routine wrist MRI reports: prevalence of the median nerve anatomical variations and persistent

Fatih Dag1, Berna Dirim Mete2, Merve Gursoy2

  • 1Department of Radiology, Manisa Turgutlu State Hospital, Manisa, Izmir, Turkey.

Acta Radiologica (Stockholm, Sweden : 1987)
|January 18, 2021
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Anatomical variations of the median nerve (MN) and persistent median artery (PMA) are common in the wrist. Preoperative MRI can help prevent complications during carpal tunnel (CT) surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Anatomy
  • Radiology
  • Orthopedic Surgery

Background:

  • Anatomical variations of the wrist are crucial for preventing iatrogenic injuries during carpal tunnel (CT) surgery.
  • Understanding median nerve (MN) and persistent median artery (PMA) variations is vital for surgical safety.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the anatomical variations of the median nerve (MN).
  • To assess the prevalence of persistent median artery (PMA).
  • To evaluate these variations using wrist magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of 300 wrist MRIs from 2013-2015.
  • MN variations defined as branching proximal or within the CT.
  • Prevalence of PMA and its association with MN variations were evaluated.

Main Results:

  • Median nerve (MN) variations were found in 24% of wrists (bifid MN in 12.7% proximal, 11.3% within CT).
  • Persistent median artery (PMA) was observed in 14.7% of wrists.
  • PMA frequently coexisted with MN variations (63.6% of PMA cases).

Conclusions:

  • A significant percentage of individuals exhibit median nerve (MN) variations (24.4%) and persistent median artery (PMA) (14.8%).
  • Preoperative MRI assessment for these common anatomical variations can mitigate postoperative complications of carpal tunnel (CT) surgery.
Keywords:
Median nervecarpal tunnelmagnetic resonance imagingpersistent median artery

More Related Videos

Functional and Physiological Methods of Evaluating Median Nerve Regeneration in the Rat12:09

Functional and Physiological Methods of Evaluating Median Nerve Regeneration in the Rat

Published on: April 18, 2020

12.6K
Nerve Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Dysimmune Neuropathies08:56

Nerve Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Dysimmune Neuropathies

Published on: October 7, 2021

3.0K

Related Concept Videos

Arteries of the Upper Limbs01:12

Arteries of the Upper Limbs

The subclavian artery transitions into the axillary artery as it exits the chest and enters the axillary region. This artery is critical for supplying blood to the shoulder area, including the head of the humerus, through the humeral circumflex arteries. As the vessel continues into the upper arm or brachium, it becomes the brachial artery. This artery plays a key role in vascularizing the brachial region and bifurcates at the elbow into several branches. These branches include the deep...
1.6K
Spinal Nerves: Plexus I01:22

Spinal Nerves: Plexus I

Nerve plexuses are networks of interlacing nerves that serve as communication hubs to distribute and organize nerve action across various body regions. The nerve plexuses are organized into the cervical plexus located in the neck region, brachial plexus in the shoulder area, lumbar plexus found in the lower back, sacral plexus situated in the pelvis, and coccygeal plexus located in the coccygeal region.
The Cervical Plexus
The cervical plexus, formed by the anterior rami of the first four...
1.8K
Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation01:21

Peripheral Arterial Disease II: Clinical Manifestations and Diagnostic Evaluation

Clinical manifestationsPeripheral Arterial Disease (PAD) manifests through a range of symptoms, from the characteristic intermittent claudication to atypical presentations and severe complications in advanced stages. Intermittent claudication, a hallmark symptom of PAD, presents as exercise-induced muscle pain that typically resolves within minutes of rest. This pain is reproducible and stems from inadequate blood flow, leading to the accumulation of lactic acid produced during anaerobic...
166
Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers01:17

Muscles of the Forearm that Move the Hand and Fingers

The muscles of the forearm that move the wrist, hand, and digits are numerous and diverse. They can be classified into two groups based on their location and function — the anterior and posterior compartment muscles.
Anterior Compartment
The anterior compartment muscles originate from the humerus. They primarily function as flexors and are also known as flexor muscles. They typically insert on the carpals, metacarpals, and phalanges. The superficial layer includes the flexor carpi...
1.9K
Magnetic Resonance Imaging01:24

Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a noninvasive medical imaging technique based on a phenomenon of nuclear physics discovered in the 1930s, in which matter exposed to magnetic fields and radio waves was found to emit radio signals. In 1970, a physician and researcher named Raymond Damadian noticed that malignant (cancerous) tissue gave off different signals than normal body tissue. He applied for a patent for the first MRI scanning device in clinical use by the early 1980s. The early MRI...
8.5K
Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI01:21

Imaging Studies for Cardiovascular System IV: CMRI

Cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging, or CMRI, is a non-invasive diagnostic test that employs a magnetic field and radiofrequency waves to create precise images of the heart and arteries. It provides comprehensive information about cardiac anatomy, function, perfusion, and tissue characterization without ionizing radiation.IndicationsCMRI diagnoses various heart conditions, including tissue damage from heart attacks, ischemic heart disease, myocarditis, aortic issues (tears, aneurysms,...
201