Echographic characteristics of sciatic nerves at autopsy (pilot study)

Objective. To evaluate the echographic characteristics of the normal sciatic nerves structural organization at autopsy. To compare echographic and morphological features. To determine the echographic picture of intact sciatic nerves, which can be used as a standard for assessing the damaged nerves condition.

Materials and methods. The results of ultrasound of 4 sciatic nerves at autopsy were analyzed. The anatomical integrity of the nerves was not violated. No pathology of the sciatic nerves was detected during life. The cause of patients death was cardiovascular diseases.

The condition of all sciatic nerves was assessed using the ultrasound during autopsy by installing an ultrasound sensor directly on the nerve fiber along the back of the thigh after the pathologist had accessed the nerve. Then, material was collected for morphology of the nerve trunks. Postoperative material was delivered for histology in accordance with the rules of laboratory practice.

Results: Ultrasound of the sciatic nerves at autopsy is effective for detailed assessment of the echostructure of intact peripheral nerves.

Discussion. Echographic characteristics of intact peripheral nerves have been revealed, allowing them to be used as controls for intraoperative ultrasound examination of damaged peripheral nerves.

Conclusion. The study of the echographic structure of sciatic nerves during autopsy yielded the following results.

For a detailed assessment of the echostructure of peripheral nerves, it is necessary to use a gel layer, which allows shifting the focus of the ultrasound beam directly to the nerve fiber and makes it possible to examine the structure of the nerve in detail during autopsy.

During autopsy, sciatic nerves in cross section are rounded or oval formations with an ordered fascicular structure. In longitudinal section, they are strands with regular alternation of hypo- and hyperechoic zones, which reflects the morphological structure and ordered fascicular structure of nerve fibers. When performing intraoperative ultrasound examinations, the echographic image of intact sciatic nerves obtained during autopsy can be used as a standard for comparing the normal echostructure of the nerve with its altered analogue.

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