• G Bsteh, J V Wanschitz, H Gruber, K Seppi, and W N Löscher.
• Department of Neurology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.
• Eur. J. Neurol. 2013 Jun 1; 20 (6): 981-5.

Background And PurposeLittle is known about the natural history of non-traumatic compressive mononeuropathies. To improve patient management, prognostic factors and outcome in patients with non-traumatic peroneal and radial mononeuropathies were studied.MethodsRetrospective clinical, electrophysiological and sonographic data of patients with non-traumatic peroneal and radial mononeuropathies were evaluated. Clinical, electrophysiological and sonographic evaluations had to take place 2-12 weeks after symptom onset and follow-up had to be for >6 months.ResultsTwenty-five patients with peroneal mononeuropathy and 58 with radial mononeuropathy were included. Mean follow-up was 8.9 ± 2.4 months. Approximately 90% of patients recovered to a muscle strength of British Medical Research Council grade 4 or 5. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed conduction block on nerve conduction studies, younger age and less severe initial weakness as indicators for a good prognosis. Peripheral nerve ultrasound was not prognostic in the 40 patients where it was available.ConclusionsThe present study shows a good prognosis for spontaneous recovery after non-traumatic acute-onset compressive peroneal and radial mononeuropathies. Patients with denervation on needle electromyography, older age and severe initial weakness have a poorer prognosis and should be closely monitored to facilitate timely surgery whenever weakness persists. Peripheral nerve ultrasound seems to be of limited prognostic value in these mononeuropathies.© 2013 The Author(s) European Journal of Neurology © 2013 EFNS.

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