Neuroimaging clinics of North America
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Peripheral nerve surgery represents a broad field of pathologic conditions, medical specialties, and anatomic regions of the body. Anatomic understanding of hierarchical nerve structure and the peripheral nervous system aids diagnosis and management of nerve lesions. ⋯ Individual or groups of nerves may be affected by various pathologic conditions, including trauma, entrapment, tumor, or iatrogenic damage. Current research efforts focus on enhancing the peripheral nerve regenerative process by targeting Schwann cells, nerve growth factors, and nerve allografts.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2014
ReviewPeripheral neuropathy: clinical and electrophysiological considerations.
This article is a primer on the pathophysiology and clinical evaluation of peripheral neuropathy for the radiologist. Magnetic resonance neurography has utility in the diagnosis of many focal peripheral nerve lesions. When combined with history, examination, electrophysiology, and laboratory data, future advancements in high-field magnetic resonance neurography may play an increasingly important role in the evaluation of patients with peripheral neuropathy.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2014
ReviewMagnetic resonance neurography of peripheral nerve tumors and tumorlike conditions.
Peripheral nerve enlargement may be seen in multiple conditions including hereditary or inflammatory neuropathies, sporadic or syndromic peripheral nerve sheath tumors, perineurioma, posttraumatic neuroma, and intraneural ganglion. Malignancies such as neurolymphoma, intraneural metastases, or sarcomas may also affect the peripheral nervous system and result in nerve enlargement. The imaging appearance and differentiating factors become especially relevant in the setting of tumor syndromes such as neurofibromatosis type 1, neurofibromatosis type 2, and schwannomatosis. This article reviews the typical magnetic resonance neurography imaging appearances of neurogenic as well as nonneurogenic neoplasms and tumorlike lesions of peripheral nerves, with emphasis on distinguishing factors.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2014
ReviewAnatomic considerations, nomenclature, and advanced cross-sectional imaging techniques for visualization of the cranial nerve segments by MR imaging.
Various methods of cross-sectional imaging are used for visualization of the cranial nerves, relying heavily on MR imaging. The success of the MR imaging sequences for visualization of cranial nerves depends on their anatomic context at the point of evaluation. ⋯ A variety of approaches are advocated and variations in equipment and terminology cloud the field. This article proposes a segmental classification and corresponding nomenclature for imaging evaluation of the cranial nerves and reviews technical considerations and applicable literature.
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Neuroimaging Clin. N. Am. · Feb 2014
ReviewHigh-resolution magnetic resonance neurography in upper extremity neuropathy.
The most common sites of nerve entrapment are in the upper extremity, commonly diagnosed based on clinical findings and electrophysiologic studies. Cross-sectional imaging modalities, such as ultrasonography and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging, have been used to enhance diagnostic accuracy and provide anatomic mapping of abnormalities. MR neurography offers multiplanar high-resolution imaging of upper extremity nerves as well as adjacent soft tissues, and provides an objective assessment of the neuromuscular anatomy and related abnormalities. This article reviews the normal 3-T MR neurographic appearance of the upper extremity nerves, and abnormal findings related to injury, entrapment, and other pathologic conditions.