Abstract Purpose: To assess if high-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the pudendal nerve and its terminal branches and to identify the best approach to visualize these structures. Materials and Methods: Normal anatomy of the pudendal nerve was evaluated in 3 cadavers and 20 healthy volunteers proximally at the level of the ischial spine and distally with low- (2-5 MHz) and high-frequency (12-7 MHz and 17-5 MHz) transducers. Two musculoskeletal radiologists performed the examinations and evaluations. Volunteers were placed in 3 different positions which allowed different approaches (posterior, medial, anterior trans-perineal). A 0-3 scale was used to assess nerve visibility. Results: Visualization of the pudendal nerve at the ischial spine was best with a medial approach (P<0.004); the terminal branches were seen best with the anterior approach (P<0.002). Conclusion: High-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the pudendal nerve and its terminal branches. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

High-resolution ultrasound of the pudendal nerve: Normal anatomy

TAGLIAFICO, ALBERTO;MARTINOLI, CARLO
2013-01-01

Abstract

Abstract Purpose: To assess if high-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the pudendal nerve and its terminal branches and to identify the best approach to visualize these structures. Materials and Methods: Normal anatomy of the pudendal nerve was evaluated in 3 cadavers and 20 healthy volunteers proximally at the level of the ischial spine and distally with low- (2-5 MHz) and high-frequency (12-7 MHz and 17-5 MHz) transducers. Two musculoskeletal radiologists performed the examinations and evaluations. Volunteers were placed in 3 different positions which allowed different approaches (posterior, medial, anterior trans-perineal). A 0-3 scale was used to assess nerve visibility. Results: Visualization of the pudendal nerve at the ischial spine was best with a medial approach (P<0.004); the terminal branches were seen best with the anterior approach (P<0.002). Conclusion: High-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the pudendal nerve and its terminal branches. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11567/420119
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