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Superficial radial nerve lesion

Last edited: 4/23/2026

Overview

Superficial radial nerve lesions refer to anomalies where the radial artery runs superficially near the cephalic vein, often detected incidentally through trauma, imaging, or difficulties in catheterization procedures 1.

Diagnosis

  • Ultrasonography: Primary diagnostic tool for identifying superficial radial arteries (SRAs) 1.
  • Clinical Presentation: Difficulty in radial artery catheterization and incidental findings during trauma or imaging 1.
  • Location: SRAs typically run close to the cephalic vein, predominantly found on the right side (37%), left side (43%), or bilaterally (20%) 1.
  • Management

  • Catheterization Techniques: Use ultrasound guidance to navigate around SRAs during radial artery catheterization 1.
  • Preoperative Evaluation: Conduct ultrasound examinations preoperatively to identify SRAs and plan catheterization approaches accordingly 1.
  • Special Populations

  • No specific data: The provided abstracts do not cover special populations such as pregnancy, pediatrics, elderly, or comorbidities 1.
  • Key Recommendations

  • Utilize ultrasonography for preoperative evaluation to identify superficial radial arteries and plan catheterization strategies effectively (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
  • Employ ultrasound guidance during radial artery catheterization procedures to avoid complications associated with SRAs (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
  • Consider ultrasound as the primary diagnostic tool for incidental findings of SRAs in patients experiencing difficulties with radial artery access (Evidence: Moderate) 1.
  • References

    1 Uchino T, Miura M, Matsumoto S, Shingu C, Kitano T. Sonographic diagnosis and evaluation in patients with superficial radial arteries. The journal of vascular access 2024. link

    Original source

    1. [1]
      Sonographic diagnosis and evaluation in patients with superficial radial arteries.Uchino T, Miura M, Matsumoto S, Shingu C, Kitano T The journal of vascular access (2024)

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