Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies
Abstract Entrapment neuropathies at the elbow are common in clinical practice and require an accurate diagnosis for effective management. Understanding the imaging characteristics of these conditions is essential for confirming diagnoses and identifying underlying causes. Ultrasound serves as the pr...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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SpringerOpen
2025-01-01
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| Series: | Insights into Imaging |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01901-1 |
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| author | Domenico Albano Gabriella Di Rocco Salvatore Gitto Francesca Serpi Stefano Fusco Paolo Vitali Massimo Galia Carmelo Messina Luca Maria Sconfienza |
| author_facet | Domenico Albano Gabriella Di Rocco Salvatore Gitto Francesca Serpi Stefano Fusco Paolo Vitali Massimo Galia Carmelo Messina Luca Maria Sconfienza |
| author_sort | Domenico Albano |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Entrapment neuropathies at the elbow are common in clinical practice and require an accurate diagnosis for effective management. Understanding the imaging characteristics of these conditions is essential for confirming diagnoses and identifying underlying causes. Ultrasound serves as the primary imaging modality for evaluating nerve structure and movement, while MRI is superior for detecting muscle denervation. Plain radiography and CT play a minor role and can be used for the evaluation of bony structures and calcifications/ossifications. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomical landmarks, nerve pathways, and compression sites is crucial for clinicians to accurately interpret imaging and guide appropriate treatment strategies for entrapments of ulnar, median, and radial nerves, and their branches. Critical relevance statement Accurate imaging and anatomical knowledge are essential for diagnosing elbow entrapment neuropathies. Ultrasound is the preferred modality for assessing nerve structure and motion, while MRI excels in detecting muscle denervation and guiding effective management of ulnar, median, and radial nerve entrapments. Key Points Ultrasound is the primary modality for assessing nerve structure and stability. Findings include nerve structural loss, isoechogenicity, thickening, and hyper-vascularization. MRI provides a comprehensive evaluation of the elbow and accurate muscle assessment. Imaging allows the identification of compressive causes, including anatomical variants, masses, or osseous anomalies. Awareness of anatomical landmarks, nerve pathways, and compression sites is essential. Graphical Abstract |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3450a8029403490fb183c2694fcf7363 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 1869-4101 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-01-01 |
| publisher | SpringerOpen |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Insights into Imaging |
| spelling | doaj-art-3450a8029403490fb183c2694fcf73632025-02-02T12:27:58ZengSpringerOpenInsights into Imaging1869-41012025-01-0116111410.1186/s13244-025-01901-1Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathiesDomenico Albano0Gabriella Di Rocco1Salvatore Gitto2Francesca Serpi3Stefano Fusco4Paolo Vitali5Massimo Galia6Carmelo Messina7Luca Maria Sconfienza8IRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziScuola di Specializzazione in Radiodiagnostica, Università Degli Studi di MilanoIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziDepartment of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di MilanoIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziSection of Radiology, Department of Biomedicine, Neuroscience and Advanced Diagnostics (BiND), University Hospital “Paolo Giaccone”Department of Biomedical Sciences for Health, Università Degli Studi di MilanoIRCCS Istituto Ortopedico GaleazziAbstract Entrapment neuropathies at the elbow are common in clinical practice and require an accurate diagnosis for effective management. Understanding the imaging characteristics of these conditions is essential for confirming diagnoses and identifying underlying causes. Ultrasound serves as the primary imaging modality for evaluating nerve structure and movement, while MRI is superior for detecting muscle denervation. Plain radiography and CT play a minor role and can be used for the evaluation of bony structures and calcifications/ossifications. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomical landmarks, nerve pathways, and compression sites is crucial for clinicians to accurately interpret imaging and guide appropriate treatment strategies for entrapments of ulnar, median, and radial nerves, and their branches. Critical relevance statement Accurate imaging and anatomical knowledge are essential for diagnosing elbow entrapment neuropathies. Ultrasound is the preferred modality for assessing nerve structure and motion, while MRI excels in detecting muscle denervation and guiding effective management of ulnar, median, and radial nerve entrapments. Key Points Ultrasound is the primary modality for assessing nerve structure and stability. Findings include nerve structural loss, isoechogenicity, thickening, and hyper-vascularization. MRI provides a comprehensive evaluation of the elbow and accurate muscle assessment. Imaging allows the identification of compressive causes, including anatomical variants, masses, or osseous anomalies. Awareness of anatomical landmarks, nerve pathways, and compression sites is essential. Graphical Abstracthttps://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01901-1Nerve compression syndromesElbowUltrasonographyMagnetic resonance imaging. |
| spellingShingle | Domenico Albano Gabriella Di Rocco Salvatore Gitto Francesca Serpi Stefano Fusco Paolo Vitali Massimo Galia Carmelo Messina Luca Maria Sconfienza Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies Insights into Imaging Nerve compression syndromes Elbow Ultrasonography Magnetic resonance imaging. |
| title | Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| title_full | Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| title_fullStr | Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| title_full_unstemmed | Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| title_short | Imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| title_sort | imaging of elbow entrapment neuropathies |
| topic | Nerve compression syndromes Elbow Ultrasonography Magnetic resonance imaging. |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1186/s13244-025-01901-1 |
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