Nerves of the Hand beyond the Carpal Tunnel

Alberto Tagliafico; Angela Cadoni; Erica Fisci; Sergio Gennaro; Luigi Molfetta; Maribel Miguel Perez; Andrea S. Klauser; Carlo Martinoli

doi:10.1055/s-0032-1311764

Seminars in Musculoskeletal Radiology, Table of Contents

Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2012; 16(02): 129-136
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1311764

Thieme Medical Publishers 333 Seventh Avenue, New York, NY 10001, USA.

Nerves of the Hand beyond the Carpal Tunnel

Alberto Tagliafico

¹Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Institute of Anatomy, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

,

Angela Cadoni

¹Department of Experimental Medicine (DIMES), Institute of Anatomy, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

,

Erica Fisci

²Department of Radiology, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

,

Sergio Gennaro

³Department of Neurosurgery, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliera, Universitaria San Martino-IST, Genoa, Italy.

,

Luigi Molfetta

⁴Dipartimento di Neuroscienze, Oftalmologia e Genetica (DINOG), University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

,

Maribel Miguel Perez

⁵Unit of Human Anatomy and Embryology, Department of Pathology and Experimental Therapy, Faculty of Medicine (C Bellvitge), University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.

,

Andrea S. Klauser

⁶Section Rheumatology and Sports Imaging, Department of Radiology, Innsbruck Medical University, Innsbruck, Austria.

,

Carlo Martinoli

⁷Department of Radiology, DISC, University of Genoa, Genoa, Italy.

› Author Affiliations

Abstract

Imaging studies including ultrasound (US) and magnetic resonance imaging may be required to evaluate the median nerve in patients with suspected carpal tunnel syndrome. However, the radial and ulnar nerves contribute to sensory and motor innervations to the hand as well. Compressive, traumatic, and iatrogenic events may damage the small terminal branches of these nerves. In the hand, US is able to identify injuries of the median, ulnar, radial nerve, and terminal branches. This article presents the role of imaging to evaluate the nerves of the hand with an emphasis on US. Due to its high-resolution capabilities, US is useful to determine the location, extent, and type of nerve lesion. Moreover, US is useful for a postsurgical assessment. The anterior interosseous nerve, Guyon's tunnel syndrome, and Wartenberg's syndrome are also described.

Keywords

ultrasound - anterior interosseous nerve - Guyon's tunnel - Wartenberg's syndrome - neuropathy

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References

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