Nerve Ultrasonographic Findings in Diabetes Mellitus Are Determined by Anatomical Location and Type of Diabetes

Overview

Journal Clin Neurophysiol Pract

Publisher Elsevier

Specialty Neurology

Date 2023 Dec 28

PMID 38152244

Authors

Marianna Toth

Annamaria Szoke

Zsuzsanna Aranyi

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: A prospective ultrasound study to analyze nerve size and its modifying factors in type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The cross-sectional areas (CSAs) of motor and sensory nerves in both upper and lower limbs were measured at 14 measurement points, using high resolution ultrasound in 26 patients with type 1 and 76 patients with type 2 diabetes, and in 50 control subjects. All diabetic patients underwent electrophysiological assessment to check for the presence of polyneuropathy.

Results: Significant mild/moderate diffuse nerve enlargement was demonstrated in type 2 diabetes, more pronounced at compression sites versus non-compression sites, and on the upper limbs versus lower limbs (p value for pooled DM2 v. control group: <0.001). In type 1 diabetes, nerve enlargement was found only at one compression site (median nerve wrist; p = 0.002). No significant difference was found between patients with or without polyneuropathy.

Conclusions: The primary predictors of nerve size in diabetes are anatomical location (i.e. compression sites versus non-compression sites, upper versus lower limbs) and type of diabetes. Changes occur before the electrophysiological signs of polyneuropathy are detected.

Significance: Nerve ultrasound may contribute to early recognition of the neuropathic complications of diabetes.

Citing Articles

Relationship between nerve ultrasonography image and electrophysiology in diabetic polyneuropathy.

Hsieh P, Ro L, Chu C, Liao M, Chang H, Kuo H J Diabetes Investig. 2024; 16(2):257-264.

PMID: 39569559 PMC: 11786178. DOI: 10.1111/jdi.14353.

Nerve ultrasound - A screening tool for diabetic neuropathy.

Pelosi L Clin Neurophysiol Pract. 2023; 8:113-114.

PMID: 38152241 PMC: 10751743. DOI: 10.1016/j.cnp.2023.05.003.

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