CT findings in peripheral mononeuropathies

Thirty-six patients with a peripheral localized nerve lesion (18 of median nerve, 7 of ulnar nerve, 2 of radial nerve, 1 of lateral cutaneous brachii nerve, 1 of sciatic nerve, 5 of peroneal nerve and 2 of tibial nerve), were evaluated by Computed Tomography (CT). We used a high resolution scanner (Siemens Somatom CR) and we performed 2mm thickness slices. Sagittal and coronal reconstructed images were obtained too. Thirty-two out of 36 patients underwent surgery. CT scan was useful in all cases in defining the relationship between nerve lesions and surrounding tissues and in planning surgical procedures. The CT evaluation of tissues densities and characteristics allowed us to define the pathologic nature of the lesions in 10 cases.