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Introduction/aims: Ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS) allows improved visualization and higher resolution images of nerve fascicles than standard high-frequency ultrasound. Dynamic UHFUS may detect the presence of fascicular entwinement, the recently described sonographic phenomenon of pathologic fascicular rotation seen in neuralgic amyotrophy. This pilot study aims to establish normative reference values and degrees of fascicular rotation for the proximal portions of commonly involved upper limb nerves in healthy controls using UHFUS., Methods: Twenty healthy participants underwent sonographic examination of the median, musculocutaneous, and radial nerves on both upper limbs using UHFUS with a 48 MHz linear transducer. A single rater assessed the degree of fascicular rotation in each peripheral nerve., Results: Fascicular rotation appears to occur in the proximal portion of each of these nerves. The mean degree of fascicular rotation for each of the measured nerves was median 94.5°, musculocutaneous 97.9°, and radial 50.9°. The maximum observed fascicular rotation in each nerve was 180°. Age, sex, height, weight, body mass index, and race did not predict degree of fascicular rotation (all p > .103). A single-factor ANOVA test showed the degree of fascicular rotation differed in median, musculocutaneous, and radial nerves (F = 4.748, p = .011)., Discussion: UHFUS allows quantification of fascicular rotation in healthy controls in the median, musculocutaneous, and radial nerves, and provides normative data. The data from this pilot study may serve as control data for future comparative studies in conditions where fascicular rotation occurs, such as neuralgic amyotrophy., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Introduction/aims: While ultrasound assessment of cross-sectional area and echogenicity has gained popularity as a biomarker for various neuropathies, there is a scarcity of data regarding fascicle count and density in neuropathies or even healthy controls. The aim of this study was to determine whether fascicles within select lower limb nerves (common fibular, superficial fibular, and sural nerves) can be counted in healthy individuals using ultrahigh-frequency ultrasound (UHFUS)., Methods: Twenty healthy volunteers underwent sonographic examination of the common fibular, superficial fibular, and sural nerves on each lower limb using UHFUS with a 48 MHz linear transducer. Fascicle counts and density in each examined nerve were determined by a single rater., Results: The mean fascicle number for each of the measured nerves included the following: common fibular nerve 9.85 (SD 2.29), superficial fibular nerve 5.35 (SD 1.59), and sural nerve 6.73 (SD 1.91). Multivariate linear regression analysis revealed a significant association between cross-sectional area and fascicle count for all three nerves. In addition, there was a significant association seen in the common fibular nerve between fascicle density and height, weight, and body mass index. Age and sex did not predict fascicle count or density (all p > .13)., Discussion: UHFUS enabled the identification and counting of fascicles and fascicle density in the common fibular, superficial fibular, and sural nerves. Knowledge about normal values and normal peripheral nerve architecture is needed in order to further understand and identify pathological changes that may occur within each nerve in different disease states., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)