1. Nerve cross-sectional area in extremes of age.
- Author
-
Cartwright MS, Mayans DR, Gillson NA, Griffin LP, and Walker FO
- Subjects
- Adolescent, Aged, Aged, 80 and over, Anatomy, Cross-Sectional, Brachial Plexus anatomy & histology, Child, Child, Preschool, Female, Humans, Infant, Male, Median Nerve anatomy & histology, Median Nerve diagnostic imaging, Organ Size, Peroneal Nerve anatomy & histology, Peroneal Nerve diagnostic imaging, Radial Nerve anatomy & histology, Radial Nerve diagnostic imaging, Sciatic Nerve anatomy & histology, Sural Nerve anatomy & histology, Sural Nerve diagnostic imaging, Tibial Nerve anatomy & histology, Tibial Nerve diagnostic imaging, Ulnar Nerve anatomy & histology, Ulnar Nerve diagnostic imaging, Ultrasonography, Age Factors, Brachial Plexus diagnostic imaging, Sciatic Nerve diagnostic imaging
- Abstract
Introduction: Nerve cross-sectional area reference values have been reported for many nerves, but there have been few studies in pediatric and geriatric populations. This study was conducted to determine the influence of age on nerve cross-sectional area., Methods: Thirty-two children (3 months to 16 years) and 20 geriatric adults (67-92 years) without known neurologic conditions underwent bilateral ultrasound to measure the area of the following nerves: median at the wrist and forearm; ulnar at the wrist and elbow; radial in the spiral groove; sciatic in the distal thigh; fibular at the knee; tibial at the knee and ankle; and sural at the ankle., Results: In general, nerve cross-sectional area increased with age. Nerve size correlated most closely with age, but a correlation was also seen with body mass index., Conclusions: Nerve cross-sectional area increases with age, which is important to note when using ultrasound to evaluate children and geriatric patients., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)
- Published
- 2013
- Full Text
- View/download PDF