Ultrasound diagnosis of bony nerve entrapment: case series and literature review

Muscle Nerve. 2013 Sep;48(3):445-50. doi: 10.1002/mus.23845. Epub 2013 Jul 27.

Abstract

Introduction: Nerve entrapment due to osseous callus formation is a rare complication after bone fracture. Electrodiagnostic studies and routine radiographic imaging often fail to demonstrate the pathology. The diagnosis is difficult and is often made incidentally upon surgical exploration. Nerve ultrasonography has not been used routinely to assess such lesions.

Methods: We report 5 cases of nerve entrapment in osseous callus after fractures that occurred in 2011 and 2012. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound (US). We then performed a review of the relevant literature.

Conclusions: US is becoming an invaluable tool for diagnosing peripheral nerve entrapments. The current cases suggest that nerve US should be strongly considered as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for nerve palsies developing after trauma.

Keywords: bony nerve entrapment; bony tunnel; delayed nerve palsy; nerve ultrasound; osseous callus.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Child
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology
  • Female
  • Fractures, Bone / complications
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnostic imaging*
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / etiology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Peripheral Nerves / pathology
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed
  • Ultrasonography, Doppler*