The effect of anatomical variation of the Sural nerve on nerve conduction studies

Sung Bom Pyun, Hee Kyu Kwon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

31 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the types of sural nerve formation through cadaver study, and to evaluate the relationship between anatomical variation and nerve conduction study (NCS). Design: We examined the formation of the sural nerve in 26 legs from cadavers. Sural NCS was performed in 60 legs of healthy adults to evaluate the influence of anatomical variation on NCS. Results: The sural nerve was formed by the anastomosis of the MSCN and LSCN in the calf in 20 out of 26 legs (76.9%). The sural nerve was a direct continuation of the MSCN in four (15.4%) cases, and there was no communication between the MSCN and LSCN in two cases (7.7%). The anastomoses were located in the middle and distal third of the leg in 9 and 11 out of 20 legs, respectively. Separate sensory nerve action potentials of the MSCN and LSCN were recorded in 4 out of 60 legs (6.7%) during NCS of the sural nerve, and a double peak was recorded in each of these legs. Conclusions: Because the sural nerve formation is highly variable, the possibility of anatomical variation should be considered when the sural sensory nerve action potential is of low amplitude and disproportionate to the neurologic evaluation.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)438-442
Number of pages5
JournalAmerican Journal of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Volume87
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2008 Jun

Keywords

  • Action potentials
  • Cross-sectional anatomy
  • Neural conduction
  • Sural nerve

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physical Therapy, Sports Therapy and Rehabilitation
  • Rehabilitation

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The effect of anatomical variation of the Sural nerve on nerve conduction studies'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this