Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.

<h4>Introduction</h4>The median nerve (MN) is frequently targeted in invasive procedures. Accurately locating its depth is essential to minimize complications. This study aimed to develop predictive models of MN depth based on anthropometric features. Design: cross-sectional observationa...

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Main Authors: Sara Mogedano-Cruz, Ángel González-de-la-Flor, Cristina Rodríguez-Anadón, Lucimere Bohn, Jorge Villafañe, Carlos Romero-Morales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330383
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author Sara Mogedano-Cruz
Ángel González-de-la-Flor
Cristina Rodríguez-Anadón
Lucimere Bohn
Jorge Villafañe
Carlos Romero-Morales
author_facet Sara Mogedano-Cruz
Ángel González-de-la-Flor
Cristina Rodríguez-Anadón
Lucimere Bohn
Jorge Villafañe
Carlos Romero-Morales
author_sort Sara Mogedano-Cruz
collection DOAJ
description <h4>Introduction</h4>The median nerve (MN) is frequently targeted in invasive procedures. Accurately locating its depth is essential to minimize complications. This study aimed to develop predictive models of MN depth based on anthropometric features. Design: cross-sectional observational study.<h4>Methods</h4>Fifty-three healthy adults (Men: 53%; Age range: 18-60 years) were evaluated. Sociodemographic (age and sex) and anthropometric data (height, weight, BMI, and proximal/mid-forearm circumference) were ascertained. Ultrasound was used to measure the depth of the MN relative to the skin and brachial artery at the elbow and mid-forearm. Hierarchical linear regression was applied to identify significant predictors of nerve depth.<h4>Results</h4>Men were significantly taller, heavier, and had a higher forearm circumference than women (p < 0.05 for all). Proximal forearm circumference strongly correlated with BMI and nerve depth. Regression analysis revealed it as a significant predictor of MN depth, explaining 49.4% (proximal) and 95.2% (mid-forearm) of the variance. The model for nerve-to-artery distance showed limited explanatory power (R2 = 0.164).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The mid-forearm circumference is a strong and accessible predictor of MN depth. The proposed models can support clinicians in estimating appropriate needle depth in ultrasound-guided procedures, potentially reducing the risk of nerve injury.
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spelling doaj-art-81689ef2e4954613a5ca6b3dfe52ab0c2025-08-23T05:32:36ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01208e033038310.1371/journal.pone.0330383Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.Sara Mogedano-CruzÁngel González-de-la-FlorCristina Rodríguez-AnadónLucimere BohnJorge VillafañeCarlos Romero-Morales<h4>Introduction</h4>The median nerve (MN) is frequently targeted in invasive procedures. Accurately locating its depth is essential to minimize complications. This study aimed to develop predictive models of MN depth based on anthropometric features. Design: cross-sectional observational study.<h4>Methods</h4>Fifty-three healthy adults (Men: 53%; Age range: 18-60 years) were evaluated. Sociodemographic (age and sex) and anthropometric data (height, weight, BMI, and proximal/mid-forearm circumference) were ascertained. Ultrasound was used to measure the depth of the MN relative to the skin and brachial artery at the elbow and mid-forearm. Hierarchical linear regression was applied to identify significant predictors of nerve depth.<h4>Results</h4>Men were significantly taller, heavier, and had a higher forearm circumference than women (p < 0.05 for all). Proximal forearm circumference strongly correlated with BMI and nerve depth. Regression analysis revealed it as a significant predictor of MN depth, explaining 49.4% (proximal) and 95.2% (mid-forearm) of the variance. The model for nerve-to-artery distance showed limited explanatory power (R2 = 0.164).<h4>Conclusion</h4>The mid-forearm circumference is a strong and accessible predictor of MN depth. The proposed models can support clinicians in estimating appropriate needle depth in ultrasound-guided procedures, potentially reducing the risk of nerve injury.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330383
spellingShingle Sara Mogedano-Cruz
Ángel González-de-la-Flor
Cristina Rodríguez-Anadón
Lucimere Bohn
Jorge Villafañe
Carlos Romero-Morales
Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
PLoS ONE
title Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
title_full Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
title_fullStr Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
title_full_unstemmed Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
title_short Predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features: A tool for safer invasive procedures.
title_sort predicting median nerve depth from anthropometric features a tool for safer invasive procedures
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0330383
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