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Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Peripheral Nerve

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Clinical Neuroradiology

Abstract

The diagnostic work-up of peripheral neuropathies has traditionally relied on the patient’s clinical history, physical examination, and electrophysiological studies. However, these diagnostic tools have limitations to display the anatomic detail needed for precise localization and treatment planning. Technical advances are rapidly changing the clinical and instrumental approach to peripheral nerve diseases, and radiological techniques such as nerve ultrasound and magnetic resonance neurography are increasingly being used in the investigation of the peripheral nerve system in addition to diagnostic modalities such as neurophysiology. The recent progresses in the design of magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) systems and image acquisition techniques (e.g., pulse sequences) can provide high-resolution peripheral nerve imaging and excellent assessment of nerve size, morphology, and internal fascicular structure. Clinical neuroradiology plays a crucial role in improving the diagnosis, addressing the treatments, and allowing a better prognosis of peripheral nerve damage.

This chapter reviews the new imaging techniques and their impact on patients’ diagnosis and treatment strategies in the principal categories of peripheral nerve diseases, such as nerve trauma, entrapments, tumors, and diffuse neuropathies, and discusses the role of most promising research findings with potential applicability to the clinical practice.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Head of Neuroradiology Unit, University Hospital Spedali Civili di Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Roberto Gasparotti

  2. Department of Medical and Surgical Specialties, Radiological Sciences and Public Health, Section of Neuroradiology, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Roberto Gasparotti

  3. Radiology resident, University of Brescia, Brescia, Italy

    Michela Leali

Authors
  1. Roberto Gasparotti
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  2. Michela Leali
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Roberto Gasparotti .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Radiology and Nuclear Medicine, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Frederik Barkhof

  2. National Hosp.f Neurology & Neurosurgery, UCL National Hosp.f Neurology & Neurosurgery, London, UK

    Rolf Jager

  3. Division of Neuroradiology, University Hospital Vienna Division of Neuroradiology, Wien, Austria

    Majda Thurnher

  4. Department of Neuroradiology, Hospital Vall d’Hebrón Department of Neuroradiology, Barcelona, Spain

    Alex Rovira Cañellas

Section Editor information

  1. VUMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands

    Mike Wattjes

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Gasparotti, R., Leali, M. (2018). Magnetic Resonance Imaging of the Peripheral Nerve. In: Barkhof, F., Jager, R., Thurnher, M., Rovira Cañellas, A. (eds) Clinical Neuroradiology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61423-6_76-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-61423-6_76-1

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-61423-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-61423-6

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