Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Nerve Ultrasound Protocol to Detect Dysimmune Neuropathies
Published on: October 7, 2021
Exploring Ultrasonographic Atypical Aspects in Drug-Resistant Multifocal Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating
Angela Puma1,2, Aurora Parrotta1,2, Nicolas Azulay3
1Peripheral Nervous System & Muscle Department, université cote d'azur, Nice, France.
Introduction/Aims:
Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP) and its variants are characterized by nerve enlargement (NE), particularly in the proximal segments of the median nerve (MN) and cervical roots, as assessed by ultrasound (US). NE is typically moderate and seldom exceeds double the normal size of the cross-sectional area (CSA). Furthermore, limited knowledge exists regarding the changes in the internal structure of nerves evaluated with high-frequency ultrasound. This study describes three cases of significant CIDP-NE assessed with an ultra-high-frequency probe (UHF-US; 33 MHz) showing how changes in US-nerve images may guide treatment choice.
Methods:
Three patients diagnosed with multifocal CIDP and followed for several years in our department were studied. Clinical evaluations, electrodiagnostic studies (EDX), laboratory analyses, and UHF-US of the nerves were performed.
Results:
Nerve conduction studies (NCS) revealed severe demyelinating neuropathy with conduction blocks, reduced motor conduction velocities (MCV) in all cases, and secondary axonal degeneration in two cases. Ultrasound showed NE in the roots and nerves, with altered echogenicity and modification of internal nerve structure. A second-line treatment was successfully started in three patients.
Discussion:
UHF-US allows for the evaluation of structural changes in the nerve. NE and alterations in internal structure can be considered ultrasound markers of disease severity, guiding therapeutic decisions.
