The objective of this study is to estimate the reference values for the lower limb peripheral nerves in adults. The demographics and physical characteristics of 69 adult healthy volunteers were evaluated and recorded. The estimated reference values and their correlations with the age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. The cross sectional area reference values were obtained at 5 predetermined sites for 3 important lower limb peripheral nerves. Our CSA values correlated significantly with age, weight, and BMI. The normal reference values for each nerve were as follows: Tibial nerve at the popliteal fossa 19 mm² ± 6.9, tibial nerve at the level of the medial malleolus 12.7 mm² ± 4.5, common peroneal nerve at the popliteal fossa 9.5 mm² ± 4, common peroneal nerve fibular head 8.9 mm² ± 3.2, sural nerve 3.5 mm² ± 1.4. The reference values for the lower limb peripheral nerves were identified. These values could be used for future management of peripheral nerve disorders.

Objective: This study was performed to obtain normative data of the distal femoral cartilage thickness in healthy adults by ultrasound. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 72 healthy adults. The demographic characteristics of the participants were recorded, and the thickness of the femoral articular cartilage was measured using a 5- to 18-MHz linear probe. Results: Significant statistical difference towards the male side at left medial condyle (P = 0.001) and left lateral condyle (P = 0.009). Weakly positive statistical difference was noted towards the male side at right medial condyle (P = 0.06) and right lateral condyle (P = 0.07). The femoral cartilage thickness in the study participants did not correlate with weight, body mass index, and age (P >0.05). Positive statistical correlation with height noted in right medial condyle, right lateral condyle, right intercondylar area, and left medial condyle. Conclusion: This study increases the pool of normative data of femoral cartilage thickness measurements. Additionally, the findings of this study emphasize the fact that women have thinner cartilage than men in four of the studied parameters.

The objective of this study is to estimate the reference values for the upper limb peripheral nerves in adults. The demographics and physical characteristics of 69 adult healthy volunteers were evaluated and recorded. In addition, the side to side differences of the estimated reference values and their correlations with the age, weight, height, and body mass index (BMI) were evaluated. Cross-sectional area reference values of the upper limb nerves did not correlate with height; however, they correlated with age, weight, and BMI in some scanned sites. The data obtained in this study could be helpful in future diagnosis of peripheral nerve disorders of the upper limb.

The objective of this study is to determine whether the cross sectional area (CSA) measurement of the median nerve at the wrist differ between carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) in diabetic patients with and without diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). This study included 44 patients with type II diabete millitus (DM) with CTS, 32 patients with CTS and DPN, 46 patients with idiopathic CTS, and 42 healthy subjects. Ultrasonographic measurement of the CSA of the median nerve was made at the level of the wrist, together with nerve conduction studies. The median CSA at the wrist was significantly larger in all patient groups compared with healthy subjects. The median nerve CSA was significantly larger in diabetic patients with CTS than patients with idiopathic CTS. The median nerve CSA at wrist was significantly smaller in patients with CTS and DPN compared with diabetic patients with CTS only. The median nerve CSA at the wrist was larger in diabetic patients with CTS than patients with idiopathic CTS and CTS with DPN. Median nerve CSA can help to differentiate between diabetic patients with CTS with and without DPN.

Objectives: Sonoelastography is an emerging technology that has been used to evaluate the musculoskeletal system including the brachial plexus of peripheral nerves, which has been only recently considered for study by shear wave elastography. The purpose of this study is to establish the normal sonoelastographic features of the C5–C7 nerve roots of the brachial plexus. Methods: Forty healthy individuals (21 males and 19 females) were enrolled in the study. Shear wave elastography was used to evaluate the C5–C7 nerve roots of the brachial plexus at the interscalene interval. Normal sonoelastographic values were obtained. Results: The mean shear elastic modulus of the C5 nerve root was 16.9 kPa (range 5.9–28.8 ± 4.9 standard deviation, SD), 15.7 kPa (range 5.4–26.3 ± 4.3 SD) for the C6 nerve root, and 16 kPa (range 8–29 ± 4.6 SD) for the C7 nerve root. There was a significant statistical difference between both sexes in the elastic modulus at the C6 and C7, but not at the C5 nerve roots. Significant inverse correlation with height was noted at the C6 nerve root. There was no statistical significant difference in tissue stiffness between right- and left-handed subjects, age, and body mass index. Conclusion: The elastic modulus of the C5–C7 nerve roots has been determined in asymptomatic individuals and can serve as a reference when studying pathological conditions of these structures. Abbreviations: BMI: body mass index; SWE: shear wave elastography.