Spectrum of High-Resolution MRI Findings in Diabetic Neuropathy

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes is the most common cause of neuropathy. Focal diabetic neuropathy, although less common than entrapment neuropathy, clinically mimics entrapment neuropathy. This article depicts the spectrum of MR abnormalities in diabetic subjects- from abnormal T2 hyperintensity and fascicular enlargement in the acute and subacute stages to atrophic-appearing fascicles with intraepineurial fat deposition in the chronic stage-on high-resolution high-field (3-T) MRI. CONCLUSION: A spectrum of imaging abnormalities is observed in diabetic neuropathy. It is important for radiologists to understand the pathophysiology and recognize high-resolution MR appearances of these lesions and of related entities in the differential diagnosis for appropriate diagnosis and patient treatment.