Non-traumatic peroneal nerve palsy: MRI findings

• Published in: Clinical radiology 2007-01, Vol.62 (1), p.58-64
• Main Authors: Kim, J.Y, Ihn, Y.K, Kim, J.S, Chun, K.A, Sung, M.S, Cho, K.H
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult; Aneurysm - complications; Aneurysm - pathology; Aneurysm - surgery; Biological and medical sciences; Contrast Media; Diseases of the osteoarticular system; Electrodiagnosis. Electric activity recording; Electrophysiology; Female; Gadolinium; Ganglion Cysts - complications; Ganglion Cysts - pathology; Ganglion Cysts - surgery; Hematoma - complications; Hematoma - pathology; Hematoma - surgery; Humans; Image Enhancement; Investigative techniques, diagnostic techniques (general aspects); Juxtaarticular diseases. Extraarticular rhumatism; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Medical sciences; Middle Aged; Nervous system; Nervous system (semeiology, syndromes); Nervous system as a whole; Neural Conduction; Neurology; Osteochondroma - complications; Osteochondroma - pathology; Osteochondroma - surgery; Peroneal Nerve - pathology; Peroneal Neuropathies - diagnosis; Peroneal Neuropathies - etiology; Peroneal Neuropathies - surgery; Radiology; Retrospective Studies; Synovial Cyst - complications; Synovial Cyst - pathology; Synovial Cyst - surgery
• ISSN: 0009-9260; 1365-229X
• DOI: 10.1016/j.crad.2006.07.013

Aim To present magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings of non-traumatic peroneal nerve palsy and to evaluate the usefulness of MRI in patients with non-traumatic peroneal nerve palsy. Materials and methods In a retrospective study, 11 consecutive patients presenting with peroneal nerve palsy were included. MR images of the lower leg and electrophysiological examinations were also reviewed. The cause of peroneal nerve palsy was determined on the basis of MRI findings and was evaluated using electrophysiological data. Nine patients with causative lesions detected on MRI, underwent surgery. Results Clinical examination and electromyography (EMG) disclosed 11 peroneal lesions. MRI and EMG revealed three types of signal intensity change, i.e. deep peroneal nerve palsy type, common peroneal nerve palsy type, and superficial peroneal nerve palsy type. The MRI and EMG findings were in agreement in seven (65%) of the 11 study patients. In nine patients the causative lesions were identified using MRI, including ganglion cyst ( n = 6), osteochondroma ( n = 1), synovial cyst ( n = 1), and aneurysm ( n = 1). Conclusion Ganglion cyst is the most common cause of non-traumatic peroneal nerve palsy. MRI offers a noninvasive method for obtaining useful information to assess, localize, and monitor peripheral peroneal nerve palsy.