INTRODUCTION: Nerve entrapment due to osseous callus formation is a rare complication after bone fracture. Electrodiagnostic studies and routine radiographic imaging often fail to demonstrate the pathology. The diagnosis is difficult and is often made incidentally upon surgical exploration. Nerve ultrasonography has not been used routinely to assess such lesions. METHODS: We report 5 cases of nerve entrapment in osseous callus after fractures that occurred in 2011 and 2012. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound (US). We then performed a review of the relevant literature. CONCLUSIONS: US is becoming an invaluable tool for diagnosing peripheral nerve entrapments. The current cases suggest that nerve US should be strongly considered as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for nerve palsies developing after trauma.
INTRODUCTION:Nerve entrapment due to osseous callus formation is a rare complication after bone fracture. Electrodiagnostic studies and routine radiographic imaging often fail to demonstrate the pathology. The diagnosis is difficult and is often made incidentally upon surgical exploration. Nerve ultrasonography has not been used routinely to assess such lesions. METHODS: We report 5 cases of nerve entrapment in osseous callus after fractures that occurred in 2011 and 2012. The diagnosis was made by ultrasound (US). We then performed a review of the relevant literature. CONCLUSIONS: US is becoming an invaluable tool for diagnosing peripheral nerve entrapments. The current cases suggest that nerve US should be strongly considered as an adjunctive diagnostic tool for nerve palsies developing after trauma.