Abstract：
BACKGROUND: Posterior tibial nerve (PTN) cross-sectional area (CSA) reference values for the diagnosis of tarsal tunnel syndrome (TTS) using ultrasound imaging exist in several countries but not in South Africa (SA). Therefore, the objective was to measure the CSA reference values for PTN in SA.
METHODS: Ultrasound CSA measurements of PTN in both ankles on 112 participants were performed, the mean measurement was recorded, and the effect of race, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.
RESULTS: In this study, the primary variables age and BMI affect the CSA measurement of the PTN. A positive correlation was found between PTN asymptomatic size and age (r = 0.196, P < 0.05), size and BMI (r = 0.200, P < 0.05). Age (categories) had a mean value of 3.17 for the age group 36-45 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-3.4). The mean BMI was 30.0 kg/m2 (CI 28.57-31.08). As for the asymptomatic PTN, a mean CSA reference value of 0.10 cm2 was obtained.
CONCLUSIONS: With increase in age and BMI, a greater PTN measurement will occur. Race appears to be a contributing factor, but further research is needed in this regard. The reference CSA value for normal PTN should be set at 0.10 cm2 for all racial groups for a basic musculoskeletal ultrasound exam protocol in South Africa.
METHODS: Ultrasound CSA measurements of PTN in both ankles on 112 participants were performed, the mean measurement was recorded, and the effect of race, age, gender, and body mass index (BMI) were recorded.
RESULTS: In this study, the primary variables age and BMI affect the CSA measurement of the PTN. A positive correlation was found between PTN asymptomatic size and age (r = 0.196, P < 0.05), size and BMI (r = 0.200, P < 0.05). Age (categories) had a mean value of 3.17 for the age group 36-45 years (95% confidence interval (CI) 2.9-3.4). The mean BMI was 30.0 kg/m2 (CI 28.57-31.08). As for the asymptomatic PTN, a mean CSA reference value of 0.10 cm2 was obtained.
CONCLUSIONS: With increase in age and BMI, a greater PTN measurement will occur. Race appears to be a contributing factor, but further research is needed in this regard. The reference CSA value for normal PTN should be set at 0.10 cm2 for all racial groups for a basic musculoskeletal ultrasound exam protocol in South Africa.
摘要：
背景：在一些国家/地区存在使用超声成像诊断骨隧道综合征（TTS）的胫后神经（PTN）横截面积（CSA）参考值，但在南非（SA）却没有。因此,目的是测量SA中PTN的CSA参考值。
方法：对112名参与者进行了双脚踝PTN的超声CSA测量，记录了平均测量值，以及种族的影响，年龄,性别,并记录体重指数(BMI)。
结果：在这项研究中，主要变量年龄和BMI影响PTN的CSA测量。PTN无症状大小与年龄呈正相关(r=0.196,P<0.05),大小和BMI(r=0.200,P<0.05)。年龄（类别）在36-45岁年龄组的平均值为3.17（95％置信区间（CI）2.9-3.4）。平均BMI为30.0kg/m2（CI28.57-31.08）。至于无症状的PTN，平均CSA参考值为0.10cm2。
结论：随着年龄和BMI的增加，将发生更大的PTN测量。种族似乎是一个促成因素，但是在这方面需要进一步的研究。对于南非的基本肌肉骨骼超声检查方案，所有种族的正常PTN的参考CSA值应设置为0.10cm2。
方法：对112名参与者进行了双脚踝PTN的超声CSA测量，记录了平均测量值，以及种族的影响，年龄,性别,并记录体重指数(BMI)。
结果：在这项研究中，主要变量年龄和BMI影响PTN的CSA测量。PTN无症状大小与年龄呈正相关(r=0.196,P<0.05),大小和BMI(r=0.200,P<0.05)。年龄（类别）在36-45岁年龄组的平均值为3.17（95％置信区间（CI）2.9-3.4）。平均BMI为30.0kg/m2（CI28.57-31.08）。至于无症状的PTN，平均CSA参考值为0.10cm2。
结论：随着年龄和BMI的增加，将发生更大的PTN测量。种族似乎是一个促成因素，但是在这方面需要进一步的研究。对于南非的基本肌肉骨骼超声检查方案，所有种族的正常PTN的参考CSA值应设置为0.10cm2。
