Klinische Neurophysiologie 2021; 52(04): 271-282
DOI: 10.1055/a-1416-3885
DGKN-Updates

Update: Muskel- und Nervensonografie

Update: Muscle and Nerve Sonography
Ulf Schminke
,
Jens Allendörfer
,
Alexander Grimm
,
Heidrun H. Krämer
,
Uwe Walter
Preview

Die Sonografie von Nerven und Muskeln hat sich zu einem essenziellen Baustein der Diagnostik von Erkrankungen des peripheren Nervensystems und der Muskulatur entwickelt. Häufig gelingt eine umfassende Aufklärung einer Läsion erst durch die Kombination aus Kenntnissen über eine elektrophysiologisch nachgewiesene gestörte Funktion des Nervs und über sonografisch festgestellte morphologische Veränderungen des Nervs und des angrenzenden Gewebes.

Abstract

Ultrasonography of muscles and peripheral nerves is a valuable tool in the neurophysiology laboratory. In many cases, a complete elucidation of the cause of a peripheral nerve lesion requires combined information on a disturbed nerve function derived from electrodiagnostic tests and on morphologic changes of peripheral nerves and the surrounding tissue derived from ultrasonography. Muscle ultrasound may indicate an increased echogenicity caused by a fatty degeneration of muscle parenchyma in myopathies and may detect fasciculations in neurogenic muscle disorders. Nerve sonography may visualize structural abnormalities in entrapment syndromes and help identifying the causes of an unsatisfying outcome of an operation. In nerve injuries, sonography provides information on structural integrity of the nerve, on an intraneural fibrosis or on bone fragments or osteosynthesis material in the vicinity of the nerve. Furthermore, morphologic characteristics may help classifying benign peripheral nerve sheath tumors. A focal or generalised enlargement of either the whole nerve or of one or more fascicles is frequently seen in immune-mediated and hereditary neuropathies.



Publication History

Article published online:
25 November 2021

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