MRI Appearance of Nerve Regeneration in a Surgically Repaired Ulnar Nerve.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) findings for surgical repair of a transected nerve have not been published. We describe the first reported postoperative MR imaging findings of a repaired transected ulnar nerve.

METHODS

A patient presented to our institution following surgical repair of a severed ulnar nerve at the level of the forearm. MRI was obtained to evaluate postsurgical outcome and potential complications.

RESULTS

Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrates the presence of nerve fascicles that are clearly depicted above and below the level of injury but appear indistinct at the level of transection.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, the MRI appearance of a repaired transected nerve has not been previously described. We believe that the MRI findings may be used to assess the anatomic progress of nerve healing and, when combined with a series of progressively favorable results from a focused neurologic exam, provide convincing evidence of nerve regeneration.