Shear wave elastography of the radial nerve in healthy subjects

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the sonoelastographic features of the radial nerve in healthy subjects. METHODS: In this observational cross-sectional study, shear wave elastography was used to evaluate the radial nerve. The cross-sectional area and stiffness were measured. RESULTS: The study included 37 nerves in 20 healthy adult subjects. The mean cross-sectional area of the radial nerve at the arm was 6.1 mm(2). The mean stiffness of the radial nerve in the short axis was 30.3 kPa, and that in the long axis was 34.9 kPa. The elasticity measurements were significantly different between the long axis and short axis. CONCLUSION: The elastic modulus of the radial nerve was studied in healthy subjects and can serve as a reference for future assessment of different radial nerve pathologies.