Comparison of Ultrasound and Magnetic Resonance Imaging in Diagnosing Peripheral Intraneural Ganglion Cysts

Traditionally, the imaging diagnosis of peripheral intraneural ganglion cysts (IGCs) has primarily relied on MRI. However, few reports in the literature have evaluated peripheral IGCs using high-frequency ultrasound.

From January 2013 to December 2023, 75 consecutive patients seen in Shandong Provincial Hospital Affiliated to Shandong First Medical University with symptoms related to the peripheral nerves and clinically suspected of having peripheral IGCs were included. Ultrasound and MRI were used to assess the peripheral nerves. The ultrasonographic and MRI images of IGCs were analyzed, and their image features were summarized. The data were compared with MRI. The κ-test was used to assess the level of agreement. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value, and Youden index for high-frequency ultrasound as a diagnostic tool were determined.

The diagnosis of IGCs was confirmed in 23 patients by surgery. The MRI diagnosis results were fully consistent with the surgery. There were no false-positive results and two false-negative results by ultrasound. The κ-value was 0.936. The sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative predictive values, and Youden index of ultrasound were 91.3%, 100%, 100%, 96%, and 0.913, respectively.

MRI outperformed US in visualizing peripheral IGCs. Both US and MRI were valid indicators for comprehensive diagnosis of peripheral IGCs.