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 |