Nerve ultrasound findings differentiate Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT) 1A from other demyelinating CMTs.

OBJECTIVE

Ulnar/median motor nerve conduction velocity (MNCV) is ≤38 m/s in demyelinating Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease (CMT). Previous nerve high resolution ultrasound (HRUS) studies explored demyelinating CMT assuming it as a homogeneous genetic/pathological entity or focused on CMT1A.

METHODS

To explore the spectrum of nerve HRUS findings in demyelinating CMTs, we recruited patients with CMT1A (N = 44), CMT1B (N = 9), CMTX (N = 8) and CMT4C (N = 4). They underwent nerve conduction study (NCS) and HRUS of the median, ulnar, peroneal nerve, and the brachial plexus.

RESULTS

Median, ulnar and peroneal MNCV significantly differed across CMT subtypes. Cross sectional area (CSA) was markedly and diffusely enlarged at all sites, except entrapment ones, in CMT1A, while it was slightly enlarged or within normal range in the other CMTs. No significant right-to-left difference was found. Age had limited effect on CSA. CSAs of some CMT1A patients largely overlapped with those of other demyelinating CMTs. A combination of three median CSA measures could separate CMT1A from other demyelinating CMTs.

CONCLUSIONS

Nerve HRUS findings are heterogeneous in demyelinating CMTs.

SIGNIFICANCE: Nerve HRUS may separate CMT1A from other demyelinating CMTs. The large demyelinating CMTs HRUS spectrum may be related to its pathophysiological variability.