Ultrasound as a Useful Tool for a Peripheral Nerve Surgeon: Examples in Clinical Practice

Background Peripheral nerve surgeons often require additional imaging for examination, diagnostic testing, and preoperative planning. Point-of-care ultrasound (US) is a cost-effective, accessible, and well-established technique that can assist the surgeon in diagnosing and treating select peripheral nerve pathologies. With this knowledge, the properly trained surgeon may perform US-guided nerve blocks to help accurately diagnose and treat causes of neuropathic pain. We offer this paper, not as an exhaustive review, but as a selection of various peripheral nerve pathologies, which the senior author treats, and their associated US examination findings. Our goal is to encourage other peripheral nerve surgeons to incorporate US into their practices. Methods We provide various cases from our outpatient peripheral nerve clinic demonstrating relevant US anatomy. We also review techniques for US guided nerve blocks with relevant anatomic landmarks. Results US imaging successfully assisted in identification and injection techniques for various peripheral nerve pathologies in a surgeon's practice. Examples were presented from the neck, trunk, upper extremity, and lower extremity. Conclusion Our review highlights the use of US by a peripheral nerve surgeon in an outpatient private practice clinic to diagnose and treat select peripheral nerve pathologies. We encourage reconstructive surgeons to add US to their arsenal of diagnostic tools.