Introduction: In this study we aimed to determine whether high-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the iliohypogastric (IH), ilioinguinal (II), and genitofemoral (GF) nerves and their relations.
Methods: This investigation, initially undertaken in cadavers, was followed by a high-resolution US study in 30 healthy adult volunteers (180 nerves) by 2 musculoskeletal radiologists on separate occasions, using 2 different approaches (proximal to distal and distal to proximal). A 0-3 scale was used to assess nerve visibility. Location and course of the IH, II, and GF nerves and their relations to adjacent anatomical structures were analyzed.
Results: Nerves and their terminal branches were better visualized with the distal-to-proximal approach (P < 0.05). Visualization of the terminal branches was possible in up to 60% of volunteers.
Conclusions: High-resolution ultrasound (US) can identify the IH, II, and GF nerves at the level of the abdominal wall and the terminal branches in the majority of volunteers.
Keywords: anatomy; genitofemoral nerve; iliohypogastric nerve; ilioinguinal nerve; ultrasound; “border” nerves.
© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.