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Sural nerve water in vivo in normal humans measured by magnetic resonance spectroscopy: Relation to age, height, gender, and neurological profile
Author(s) -
Eaton R. Philip,
Sibbitt Wilmer L.,
Bicknell Joseph M.,
King Molly K.,
Griffey Richard H.,
Sibbitt Randy R.
Publication year - 1993
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.880160311
Subject(s) - sural nerve , magnetic resonance imaging , nerve conduction velocity , anatomy , medicine , magnetic resonance neurography , nuclear magnetic resonance , radiology , physics
To enable the quantitative assessment of peripheral nerve structure and function, we determined the normal values for sural nerve hydration structure as measured by magnetic resonance proton imaging, and for neurological function with scores for neuropathic symptoms, signs, and nerve conduction properties. Normal human sural nerves contain 24.8 ± 3.4% water. The structural water content of the nerves did not vary systematically in relation to age, height, gender, sural nerve conduction, neurologic symptoms, or examination deficits. In contrast, the neurological function scores were significantly influenced by age and selectively by height. Both nerve structure and function were stable over a 1‐year interval. Measurement of human sural nerve water content in vivo by magnetic resonance proton imaging, and quantitation of the neurological profile of symptoms, signs, and conduction velocity are useful, noninvasive tools for the investigation of diseases in which changes in nerve structure may be related to alterations in nerve function. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.