Abdelnaby R, Mohamed KA, ELgenidy A, Dardeer KT, Bedewy MM, Sonbol YT, Elmenawi KA, Elsaeed EM, Kotbe MS, Shabib AS, Heikal HA, Gawish HM, Barakat MH, Tawfik EA. Sonographic reference values of cranial nerve size: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.
Muscle Nerve 2022;
66:329-335. [PMID:
35765722 DOI:
10.1002/mus.27670]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2021] [Revised: 06/22/2022] [Accepted: 06/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION/AIMS
Ultrasonography of the cranial nerves has recently gained attention in assessing inflammatory, compressive or degenerative neuropathies. However, sonographic reference values of cranial nerves have received less attention than those of peripheral nerves. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to provide current evidence of sonographic reference values for cranial nerve size.
METHODS
By searching Medline (via PubMed), Scopus, Embase, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science, we conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies that reported ultrasound measurements of the facial, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves in healthy adults. We included studies that reported either the sonographic cross-sectional area (CSA) or the nerve diameter; the included nerves were sub-grouped according to the site of nerve measurement.
RESULTS
Fourteen studies with a total of 661 participants and 1437 ultrasound nerve measurements met the inclusion criteria. The anatomical sites for each nerve were combined to provide single nerve mean measurements. We found an overall mean nerve diameter of 0.80 mm for the facial nerve, 0.63 mm for the spinal accessory nerve, and 1.82 mm2 for the hypoglossal nerve CSA.
DISCUSSION
This meta-analysis provides reference values for the diameter and cross-sectional area of the facial, spinal accessory, and hypoglossal nerves at different sites, which can be used as guidance in clinical practice to detect pathological changes in cranial nerve size in cranial neuropathies. We recommend further validation in large-scale studies as well as standardization of the scanning protocols.
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