Shear Wave Elastography of the Sural Nerve in Healthy Subjects: A Pilot Study

The goal of this study is to evaluate the potential ability of shear wave elastography (SWE) to evaluate the sural nerve (SN) in healthy subjects. Methods and Results: Thirty-six SNs were evaluated in 18 healthy adult subjects. Subjects were examined in the prone position with the ankle in the neutral position, and the knees fully extended; a linear transducer was used [L18-4, MHZ] (EPIQ Elite SW 5.0.1, Philips). Nerve conduction studies were performed with the Nihon-Cohden Neuropack device. The mean cross sectional area of the SN at both sides was 4.03 +/- 1.16 mm(2). The mean shear elastic modulus of the right SN in the short axis was 24.92 +/- 6.08 kPa, while in the long axis it was 26.45 +/- 5.66 kPa. The mean shear elastic modulus of the left SN in the short axis was 24.1 +/- 4.1 kPa [range 19-33.13], while in the long axis it was 23.9 +/- 4.9 kPa [range 16.4-30.77]. The cross sectional area of the SN correlated positively with height (P<0.05), weight (P<0.001), and body mass index (P<0.01). Conclusion: SWE could play a complementary role in future evaluation of SN pathologies.