Unresolved issues of using ultrasound elastography methods in patients with mononeuropathy of the lower limb girdle and free part of the lower limb

Abstract

Objective. Systematization of data and analysis of the diagnostic effectiveness of ultrasound elastography for mononeuropathies of the lower limb girdle and free part of the lower limb.Materials and methods. Publications in the PubMed, EMBASE and Web of Science systems were analysed thoroughly, describing cases of the use of imaging methods in patients with mononeuropathy of the lower limb girdle and free part of the lower limb.Results. The most promising for implementation in wide clinical practice ultrasound elastography techniques have been identified. The use of them can, if refined, provide early diagnosis of mononeuropathies of the lower limb girdle and the free part of the lower limb.Conclusion. The use of ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis of mononeuropathy of the lower limb girdle and free part of the lower limb is hampered by the lack of clear ideas regarding the reference values of stiffness indices (kPa, m/s) for specific peripheral nerves and the possible influence of artifacts from bones and other adjacent tissues on these stiffness indices. In addition, there is no clear algorithm for choosing an ultrasound elastography technique, depending on the location and cross-section of the nerve. Solving these issues will allow optimizing the use of ultrasound elastography for the diagnosis of mononeuropathies of the lower limb girdle and the free part of the lower limb.