Sonography of Peripheral Nerves: Tumors and Ganglia of Peripheral Nerves

Ultrasonography is frequently regarded as the method of choice for the examination of palpable soft-tissue masses at the limbs. Peripheral neurogenic tumors can be divided into peripheral nerve sheath tumors like schwannoma or neurofibroma, which derive from specific neural tissue, and in those deriving from non-specific neural tissue. The latter group comprises neural fibrolipoma, intraneural perineurioma, hemangioma and also nerve sheath ganglia. This article aims to provide an overview of the typical sonographic findings and of the additional diagnostic value of sonography compared with electrodiagnostic studies in tumors and ganglia of peripheral nerves.