Ann Rehabil Med.  2014 Feb;38(1):46-51. 10.5535/arm.2014.38.1.46.

Ultrasonographic Evaluation of Sural Nerve for Nerve Conduction Study

• Kim KH
• Yoo JY
• You BC

• KMID: 2266539
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5535/arm.2014.38.1.46

Abstract

OBJECTIVE
To understand various morphologic types and locations of the sural nerve (SN) that are important for nerve conduction studies or nerve grafting procedures. The aim of this study was to describe the course and variations of the SN based on ultrasonographic findings for an adequate nerve conduction study.
METHODS
A total of 112 SNs in 56 volunteers with no history of trauma or surgery were examined by ultrasonography. The location and formation of the SNs in relation to the medial and lateral sural cutaneous nerve were investigated. We measured the horizontal distance between the SNs and the midline of the calf at the level of 14 cm from the lateral malleolus, and the distance between the SNs and the most prominent part of the lateral malleolus.
RESULTS
SN variants was classified into four types according to the medial and lateral sural cutaneous nerve; type 1 (73.2%), type 2 (17.9%), type 3 (8.0%), and type 4 (0.9%). The mean distance between the SN and the midline of the calf was 1.02+/-0.63 cm, the SN and the most prominent part of the lateral malleolus was 2.14+/-0.15 cm.
CONCLUSION
Variations in the location and formation of the SN was examined by ultrasonography, and the results of this study would increase the accuracy of the SN conduction study.

Keyword

Sural nerve; Ultrasonography; Nerve conduction study

MeSH Terms

Neural Conduction*
Sural Nerve*
Transplants
Ultrasonography
Volunteers

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Ultrasonography of a transverse view of sural nerve formation from medial sural cutaneous nerve (MSCN, right arrow) and lateral sural cutaneous nerve (LSCN, left arrow) at mid-calf level in type 1 (A), at ankle in type 4 (B). Longitudinal view of sural nerve (C). V, small saphenous vein.

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  Fig. 2 Ultrasonography of a transverse view of sural nerve formation at mid-calf level in type 2 (A), at mid-calf level in type 3 (B). MSCN, medial sural cutaneous nerve; LSCN, lateral sural cutaneous nerve; V, small saphenous vein.

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