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. Author manuscript; available in PMC: 2011 May 1.
Published in final edited form as: Exp Neurol. 2009 Jul 16;223(1):72–76. doi: 10.1016/j.expneurol.2009.07.008

Table 1.

Attributes of ideal imaging technology to detect degeneration and regeneration in peripheral nerves

Preferred features
Non-invasive
No side effects
Serially applicable
Short evaluation/scan times
Sensitivity
Ability to qualitatively detect changes
Ability to quantitatively detect changes (low false negative rate)
Size threshold of nerves (<2–3 mm)
Wide dynamic range of parameter(s) affected
Specificity
Nerve fiber numbers/density
Nerve fiber size
Differentiate changes in nerve fiber numbers and size
Detect tips of injured nerve fibers
Distinguish between axon regeneration and collateral sprouting