Nerve ultrasound normal values in children and young adults
Abstract
Background
The objective of the study was to determine the reference values for cross-sectional area (CSA) of the nerves in healthy subjects between the age of 2 and 30 years.
Methods
High-resolution ultrasonography (HRU) of the median, ulnar, tibial, sural, peroneal and spinal nerves C5-C7 was performed in 72 healthy subjects.
Results
The CSA of peripheral nerves demonstrated an age-dependent increase in size at all measurement sites in children up to around 14 years of age. This was most pronounced for large lower limb nerves and least for small nerves. Intra-nerve and inter-nerve variability of nerve CSA did not change with age.
Conclusions
This study provides normative values for HRU of peripheral nerves in children and young adults. Adult reference values should not be used for children under the age of 14 years.
CONFLICT OF INTEREST
None of the authors has any conflict of interest to disclose.
