PT  - JOURNAL ARTICLE
AU  - Satish V Khadilkar
AU  - Rakhil S Yadav
AU  - Girish Soni
TI  - A practical approach to enlargement of nerves, plexuses and roots
AID  - 10.1136/practneurol-2014-001004
DP  - 2015 Apr 01
TA  - Practical Neurology
PG  - 105--115
VI  - 15
IP  - 2
4099  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/15/2/105.short
4100  - http://pn.bmj.com/content/15/2/105.full
SO  - Pract Neurol2015 Apr 01; 15
AB  - Detecting enlargement of accessible nerves is very helpful in assessing patients with peripheral nerve disorders, as only a few types of neuropathy lead to nerve thickening. The three leading causes are leprosy, hereditary motor and sensory neuropathies (types 1 and 3) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating neuropathies. MRI, neurography and ultrasonography allow assessment of clinically inaccessible portions of deep-seated nerves, plexuses and roots. As a result, isolated proximal segment thickenings, as found in chronic inflammatory sensory polyradiculopathy, can now be better evaluated and managed. Similarly, focal nerve enlargements due to infection, inflammation, infiltration and neoplasm are being identified and treated effectively. We present a practical approach to the diagnosis and management of patients with enlarged peripheral nerves, plexuses and roots, including cranial nerves.