[Imaging of the hand : What should be considered regarding the nerves?]

BACKGROUND Peripheral nerve disorders of the hand and wrist are most commonly caused by entrapment neuropathies, while traumatic nerve injuries and neoplasms are less common. OBJECTIVES The indication for additional imaging methods and different imaging options, especially in patients with atypical symptoms or remaining unclear etiology of symptoms after completion of standard diagnostics, are presented. MATERIALS AND METHODS The imaging methods magnetic resonance (MR) neurography and neurosonography are introduced, and typical findings as well as diagnostic pitfalls are presented. RESULTS The diagnostic gold standard, which comprises a past medical history, neurologic examination and electrophysiology, can often establish the diagnosis. Imaging methods, especially MR neurography and neurosonography, are gaining increasing importance in the diagnostic workup of atypical neuropathies, as well as in the determination of the exact lesion location and spatial lesion extension, especially for surgical planning. Recent technical advances allow high-resolution depiction of small distal terminal nerve branches. CONCLUSIONS MR neurography allows for the high-resolution depiction of peripheral nerves of the hand and wrist. It can confirm the diagnosis of neuropathy, identify the exact lesion location, and rule out any differential diagnoses. Neurosonography is a time- and cost-efficient alternative diagnostic method.