Nerves in a pinch: imaging of nerve compression syndromes

Nerve compression is a common entity that can result in considerable disability. Causes include trauma, space-occupying lesions, inflammatory changes, and dynamic compression with motion. Early diagnosis is important to institute prompt treatment and minimize potential injury. Although the appropriate diagnosis is often determined by clinical examination, when the clinical presentation is atypical, imaging can have an important role in helping to define the site and etiology of nerve compression or in identifying an alternative etiology for the symptoms. This article reviews compression neuropathies of the upper and lower extremities, with an emphasis on imaging techniques and findings.