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Updated: Jan 16, 2026
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Traumatic Peripheral Nerve Injury in Mice
Published on: March 25, 2022
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More Than Epineurium Deep: Characterizing Peripheral Nerve Damage Using High-Resolution Micro-Computed Tomography for
Rasa Zhukauskas1, Brandon S Smetana2, Adam B Strohl3
1Axogen Corporation, Alachua, FL.
Journal of Hand Surgery Global Online
|October 2, 2025
Summary
High-resolution imaging revealed that traumatic nerve lacerations extend beyond visual surgical assessment. This underappreciated internal nerve damage, particularly from table saw injuries, impacts surgical repair and nerve regeneration potential.
Area of Science:
- Peripheral nerve surgery
- Regenerative medicine
- Diagnostic imaging
Background:
- Assessing nerve damage from acute traumatic lacerations is challenging.
- Clinical evaluation relies on visual inspection of the epineurium and nerve ends, often under magnification.
- Internal fascicular damage is not readily apparent, yet crucial for nerve regeneration.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize the extent of nerve damage from common traumatic lacerations using a novel high-resolution imaging method.
- To compare imaging-based damage assessment with visual estimation by experienced surgeons.
Main Methods:
- Twelve human upper extremity cadaveric specimens were used.
- Simulated lacerations using a knife, broken glass, and table saw.
- Compared visual estimations of nerve damage with micro-computed tomography measurements.
Main Results:
- Fascicular disruption extended beyond visual assessment by an average of 7.8–12.1 mm.
- Table saw lacerations showed the most extensive nerve damage.
- Radiographic damage was underestimated in all injury types.
Conclusions:
- Internal nerve damage from traumatic lacerations is underappreciated by surgeons.
- Table saw injuries result in the most significant nerve damage.
- Further investigation is needed to understand the impact of underestimated damage on nerve regeneration.
