Nerve ultrasound in the assessment of cross-sectional area in healthy children

Introduction. Nerve ultrasound continues to progress due to improved technical equipment and knowledge, but so far not enough research has been done to determine the normative values of the cross-sectional area in children, and the obtained results differ between laboratories and researchers.

Aim of the study. To determine the normative values of peripheral nerves» cross-sectional area in children 5–18 years old.

Materials and methods. High resolution nerve ultrasound of brachial plexus, median, ulnar, radial, femoral, sciatic, tibial and peroneal nerves was performed in 30 children in real time. Nerve trunks were visualized throughout the limb from both sides. The cross-sectional area of the nerves was measured by a manual tracing method with the rounding of the hypoechogenic contours of the nerve trunk. Nerves’ crosssectional area was measured at distal and proximal sites. The obtained data were statistically processed using Excel and Statistica 10.

Results. No bilateral cross-sectional area’s differences were found in children. Boys had significantly thicker nerves compared to girls, older age group (13–17 years old) compared to younger ones. There was a significant correlation between cross-sectional area of the median nerve at the level of the wrist, sciatic nerve and children’ height and weight.

Conclusions. The normal values of cross-sectional area in children can be used in the practical work of a neurologists, neurophysiologists and ultrasound technicians.