Abstract
Objective: Early detection of nerve dysfunction is important in management of diabetic peripheral neuropathy. Our study was aimed at finding the correlation of cross sectional area and Maximum thickness of nerve fascicle with the presence of peripheral neuropathy.
Materials and Methods: 50 patients with type 2 diabetes clinically diagnosed with diabetic peripheral neuropathy were analysed and severity of peripheral neuropathy was determined using Toronto clinical neuropathic score. 45 diabetic patients with no symptoms of peripheral neuropathy and 50 healthy non-diabetic subjects were taken as controls. The cross sectional area and maximum thickness of nerve fascicles of the tibial nerve were calculated 3cm cranial to medial malleolus in both lower limbs.
Results: The mean cross sectional area (17.01+/-1.31 mm2) and maximum thickness of nerve fascicle (0.61 mm) of the tibial nerve in patients with peripheral neuropathy compared with both control groups were significantly larger and statistically significant correlation was found with Toronto clinical neuropathic score(p<0.001). the diabetic patients with no signs of peripheral neuropathy had larger mean cross sectional area(10.77+/-1.73 mm2) and maximum thickness of nerve fascicle (0.25mm) than the healthy non-diabetic subjects (7.46+/-1.77mm2 and 0.20 mm respectively).
Conclusion: The cross sectional area and mean thickness of nerve fascicle of the tibial nerve is larger in diabetic patients with or without peripheral neuropathy than in healthy subjects and it showed correlation with severity and high resolution USG can be used as a screening tool in these patients.
Keywords: cross sectional area, maximum thickness of nerve fascicle, tibial nerve, sonography, diabetic neuropathy.
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Corresponding Author
Dr T. Aravind
Junior Resident, Department of Radiodiagnosis, SCB Medical College
DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v8i10.05
