preprints.org > biology and life sciences > neuroscience and neurology > doi: 10.20944/preprints202308.0193.v1

Preprint Article Version 1 Preserved in Portico This version is not peer-reviewed

Version 1 : Received: 1 August 2023 / Approved: 2 August 2023 / Online: 2 August 2023 (10:21:36 CEST)

Peripheral nerve injury remains a medical challenge with no easy resolution. Over the last few decades, significant advances have been achieved in promoting peripheral nerve regeneration, and new assessment tools have been developed, both functional and imaging, to quantify the proportion and quality of nerve recovery. The exploration of new animal models, larger, more complex and with more similarities to humans, has made it possible to reduce the gap between the results obtained in classic animal models such as rodents and the application of new therapies in humans and animals of clinical interest. Ultrasonography is an imaging technique recurrently used in clinical practice to assess the peripheral nerves, allowing its anatomical and topographic characterization, and aiding in the administration of anesthesia and in the performance of nerve blocks. The use of this technique in animal models is scarce, but it could be a useful tool in monitoring the progression of nerve regeneration after the induction of controlled experimental lesions. In this work, sheep, a promising animal model in the area of peripheral nerve regeneration, were subjected to an ultrasonographic study of three peripheral nerves of the hind limb, the common peroneal, tibial and sciatic nerves, in order to establish values of dimensions and ultrasound appearance in healthy nerves and also landmarks for their identification. At the same time, an echographic evaluation of the cranial tibial muscle, an effector muscle of the common peroneal nerve, was also carried out, establishing normal values for the echographic aspect and dimensions. The results obtained will allow the use of these data as control values in future work exploring new therapeutic options for nerve regeneration after induction of common peroneal nerve injuries in sheep.

Peripheral Nerve Injury; Peripheral Nerve Regeneration; Ultrasonography; Peroneal Common Nerve; Sheep Model.

Biology and Life Sciences, Neuroscience and Neurology

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