Sonographic detection of diffuse peripheral nerve hypertrophy in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy

Chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuropathy is an autoimmune disease characterized by recurrent demyelination and remyelination with resultant thickening of the peripheral nerves. We report a case in which sonography was instrumental in demonstrating diffuse peripheral nerve hypertrophy. On sonography, both brachial plexuses were found to be diffusely hypertrophic and hypoechoic. Similar findings were noted for the median, sciatic, and femoral nerves. The brachial plexus findings were confirmed by MRI. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Clin Ultrasound 28:488–491, 2000.