Miconazole enhances nerve regeneration and functional recovery after sciatic nerve crush injury

Introduction: Improving axonal outgrowth and remyelination is crucial for peripheral nerve regeneration. Miconazole appears to enhance remyelination in the central nervous system. In this study we assess the effect of miconazole on axonal regeneration using a sciatic nerve crush injury model in rats. Methods: Fifty Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into control and miconazole groups. Nerve regeneration and myelination were determined using histological and electrophysiological assessment. Evaluation of sensory and motor recovery was performed using the pinprick assay and sciatic functional index. The Cell Counting Kit‐8 assay and Western blotting were used to assess the proliferation and neurotrophic expression of RSC 96 Schwann cells. Results: Miconazole promoted axonal regrowth, increased myelinated nerve fibers, improved sensory recovery and walking behavior, enhanced stimulated amplitude and nerve conduction velocity, and elevated proliferation and neurotrophic expression of RSC 96 Schwann cells. Discussion: Miconazole was beneficial for nerve regeneration and functional recovery after peripheral nerve injury. Muscle Nerve 57 : 821–828, 2018     

Craniocerebral injury promotes the repair of peripheral nerve injury

The increase in neurotrophic factors after craniocerebral injury has been shown to promote fracture healing. Moreover, neurotrophic factors play a key role in the regeneration and repair of peripheral nerve. However, whether craniocerebral injury alters the repair of peripheral nerve injuries remains poorly understood. Rat injury models were established by transecting the left sciatic nerve and using a free-fall device to induce craniocerebral injury. Compared with sciatic nerve injury alone after 6–12 weeks, rats with combined sciatic and craniocerebral injuries showed decreased sciatic functional index, increased recovery of gastrocnemius muscle wet weight, recovery of sciatic nerve ganglia and corresponding spinal cord segment neuron morphologies, and increased numbers of horseradish peroxidase-labeled cells. These results indicate that craniocerebral injury promotes the repair of peripheral nerve injury.     

Combination therapy using evening primrose oil and electrical stimulation to improve nerve function following a crush injury of sciatic nerve in male rats

Peripheral nerve injuries with a poor prognosis are common. Evening primrose oil (EPO) has beneficial biological effects and immunomodulatory properties. Since electrical activity plays a major role in neural regeneration, the present study investigated the effects of electrical stimulation (ES), combined with evening primrose oil (EPO), on sciatic nerve function after a crush injury in rats. In anesthetized rats, the sciatic nerve was crushed using small haemostatic forceps followed by ES and/or EPO treatment for 4 weeks. Functional recovery of the sciatic nerve was assessed using the sciatic functional index. Histopathological changes of gas-trocnemius muscle atrophy were investigated by light microscopy. Electrophysiological changes were assessed by the nerve conduction velocity of sciatic nerves. Immunohistochemistry was used to determine the remy-elination of the sciatic nerve following the interventions. EPO + ES, EPO, and ES obviously improved sciatic nerve function assessed by the sciatic functional index and nerve conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve at 28 days after operation. Expression of the peripheral nerve remyelination marker, protein zero (P0), was in-creased in the treatment groups at 28 days after operation. Muscle atrophy severity was decreased significantly while the nerve conduction velocity was increased significantly in rats with sciatic nerve injury in the injury+ EPO + ES group than in the EPO or ES group. Totally speaking, the combined use of EPO and ES may pro-duce an improving effect on the function of sciatic nerves injured by a crush. The increased expression of P0 may have contributed to improving the functional effects of combination therapy with EPO and ES as well as the electrophysiological and histopathological features of the injured peripheral nerve.     

Ganglioside promotes the bridging of sciatic nerve defects in cryopreserved peripheral nerve allografts

Previous studies have shown that exogenous gangliosides promote nervous system regeneration and synapse formation.In this study,10 mm sciatic nerve segments from New Zealand rabbits were thawed from cryopreservation and were used for the repair of left sciatic nerve defects through allograft bridging.Three days later,1 m L ganglioside solution(1 g/L) was subcutaneously injected into the right hind leg of rabbits.Compared with non-injected rats,muscle wet weight ratio was increased at 2–12 weeks after modeling.The quantity of myelinated fibers in regenerated sciatic nerve,myelin thickness and fiber diameter were elevated at 4–12 weeks after modeling.Sciatic nerve potential amplitude and conduction velocity were raised at 8 and 12 weeks,while conduction latencies were decreased at 12 weeks.Experimental findings indicate that ganglioside can promote the regeneration of sciatic nerve defects after repair with cryopreserved peripheral nerve allografts.     

硫酸软骨素酶ABC(ch ABC)对大鼠坐骨神经损伤后神经再生功能的实验研究

目的观察硫酸软骨素酶ABC(chABC)对坐骨神经再生功能的影响。方法将72只SD大白鼠双侧坐骨神经切断造成0.8 cm缺损,用甲壳素导管桥接神经缺损后随机分为3组,每组24只。A组(实验组):管内注入聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸—chABC缓释微球(chABC-PLGA);B组(赋形剂组):管内注入聚乳酸-聚乙醇酸微球;C组(空白对照组):管内注入等渗盐水。术后4周、8周取材作神经电生理、神经组织学观察。结果术后4周、8周组织学观察见有再生神经通过再生室,其间有新生血管;神经电生理检查A组再生神经传导速度优于B、C组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),B、C组再生神经传导速度差别无统计学意义,组间比较(P>0.0167)组间多重比较行Bonferroni法检验,取校正α=0.0167)。S-100免疫组织化学及Loyez氏神经染色法显示:A组神经纤维数多于B、C组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05),B、C组再生神经纤维数差别无统计学意义,组间比较(P>0.0167)。结论硫酸软骨素酶ABC(chABC)具有促进周围神经再生的作用。     

Simultaneous gradual lengthening of both proximal and distal nerve stumps for repair of peripheral nerve defect in rats

We investigated nerve regeneration following the repair of a segmental nerve defect induced by direct end-to-end neurorrhaphy after simultaneous gradual lengthening of both proximal and distal nerve stumps in rats. A 15-mm-long nerve segment was resected from the sciatic nerve of each rat. The proximal and distal nerve stumps, respectively, were directly lengthened at a rate of 1 mm/day using a custom-made external nerve-lengthening device. After being lengthened for 14 days, both nerve stumps were refreshed, and direct end-to-end neurorrhaphy was performed. For a control, 15-mm nerve grafting was performed immediately after nerve resection. Nerve regeneration was evaluated by motor nerve conduction velocity, muscle contraction force, and histological studies at 6, 8, and 14 weeks after initial nerve resection in both groups. As a result, at 8 and 14 weeks, the motor nerve conduction velocity was significantly higher in the nerve-lengthening group than in the autografting group. In addition, at 14 weeks, the tetanic force and wet weight of the gastrocnemius muscle were significantly higher in the nerve-lengthening group than in the autografting group. Histologically, the mean axonal diameter of myelinated nerve fibers and the total number of myelinated nerve fibers were also significantly higher in the nerve-lengthening group than in the autografting group for each evaluation period. It appears that the simultaneous gradual lengthening of both proximal and distal nerve stumps might have potential application in the repair of peripheral nerve defects.     

Olfactory ensheathing cells enhance Schwann cell-mediated anatomical and functional repair after sciatic nerve injury in adult rats

Sciatic nerve injury results in axon damage, muscle degeneration, and loss of function. We compared the potential of Schwann cell (SC), olfactory ensheathing cell (OEC), or mixed SC/OEC transplants for anatomical and functional restoration after adult rat sciatic nerve transection. The cells were seeded into a 20 mm long macroporous poly(dl-lactide-co-glycolide) acid conduit and grafted between the sciatic nerve stumps. Some rats received a conduit without cells (controls) or an autologous nerve graft, the clinical standard of care. Compared with SC transplants, axon regeneration was 25% less with OEC transplants but 28% more with SC/OEC transplants. Gastrocnemius muscle restoration was similar with a SC or OEC transplant and 35% better with a SC/OEC transplant. With SC transplants, motor and sensory function recovery and electrophysiological outcomes were similar as with OEC transplants and 33% better with SC/OEC transplants. Compared with the mixed SC/OEC transplants, axon regeneration was 21% better and gastrocnemius muscle restoration was 18% better with autologous peripheral nerve transplants, but these improvements did not translate into increased function and electrophysiological outcomes. Our results revealed that OEC synergistically improve SC mediated sciatic nerve repair. The data emphasized the promise of SC/OEC transplants as artificial nerves for peripheral nerve repair. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Understanding olfactory ensheathing glia and their prospect for nervous system repair.     

Functional recovery following peripheral nerve injury in the transgenic Thy1‐GFP rat

Transgenic mice have been previously used to assess nerve regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. However, mouse models are limited by their small caliber nerves, short nerve lengths, and their inability to fully participate during behavioral assessments. The transgenic Thy1 GFP rat is a novel transgenic rat model designed to assess regeneration following peripheral nerve injury. However, return of functional and behavioral recovery following nerve injury has not yet been evaluated in these rats. In this study, we ask whether differences in anatomy, recovery of locomotion, myological, and histomorphological measures exist between transgenic Thy1 GFP rats when compared to wild type (WT) Sprague Dawley rats following unilateral sciatic nerve injury. We found that both motor and sensory neuronal architecture, overground and skilled locomotion, muscle force, motor unit number estimation (MUNE) and wet muscle weights, and histomorphometric assessments are similar between both genetic phenotypes. Overall, these data support the use of the transgenic Thy1‐GFP rat in experiments assessing functional and behavioral recovery following nerve injury and repair.     

Regeneration of mouse peripheral nerves in degenerating skeletal muscle: guidance by residual muscle fibre basement membrane

The part played by basement membrane in the guidance of peripheral nerve growth in vivo has been assessed by examining the capacity of degenerating mouse muscle to support the regeneration of the cut sciatic and saphenous nerves. Ethanol and formaldehydefixed gluteus maximus muscles were implanted around the contralateral cut nerves. The subsequent nerve growth into the degenerating muscle was assessed by silver staining after 3, 4 and 10 days. By 4 days, linear axonal growth was seen, parallel to the length of the muscle fibers, and coinciding with the onset of degeneration of the sarcoplasm. Transverse sections of the 10 day preparations showed that over 90% of linearly growing axons were located inside the remaining sheaths of muscle fibre basement membrane. This relationship was confirmed by electron microscopy of ruthenium red-stained preparations. Both motor and sensory axons were able to grow in this manner, for electrophysiological testing revealed the presence of motor axons from the sciatic nerve, while the saphenous nerve contains only sensory axons. Identical growth was seen at 10 days in muscles caused to degenerate by incubation in distilled water. However, linear growth did not occur in live-innervated and glutaraldehyde-fixed muscles, in which muscle fibre architecture was preserved.It is concluded that basement membrane derived from muscle can promote peripheral nerve regeneration. Furthermore, both motor and sensory axons show a strong preference for growth along its inner surface, the basal lamina.     

Balance and coordination training after sciatic nerve injury

Introduction: Numerous therapeutic interventions have been tested to enhance functional recovery after peripheral nerve injuries. Methods: After sciatic nerve crush in rats we tested balance and coordination and motor control training in sensorimotor tests and analyzed nerve and muscle histology. Results: The balance and coordination training group and the sham group had better results than the sedentary and motor control groups in sensorimotor tests. The sham and balance and coordination groups had a significantly larger muscle area than the other groups, and the balance and coordination group showed significantly better values than the sedentary and motor control groups for average myelin sheath thickness and g‐ratio of the distal portion of the nerve. Conclusions: The findings indicate that balance and coordination training improves sciatic nerve regeneration, suggesting that it is possible to revert and/or prevent soleus muscle atrophy and improve performance on sensorimotor tests. Muscle Nerve 44: 55–62, 2011.     

Growth hormone treatment enhances the functional recovery of sciatic nerves after transection and repair

Introduction: Although nerves can spontaneously regenerate in the peripheral nervous system without treatment, functional recovery is generally poor, and thus there is a need for strategies to improve nerve regeneration. Methods: The left sciatic nerve of adult rats was transected and immediately repaired by epineurial sutures. Rats were then assigned to one of two experimental groups treated with either growth hormone (GH) or saline for 8 weeks. Sciatic nerve regeneration was estimated by histological evaluation, nerve conduction tests, and rotarod and treadmill performance. Results: GH‐treated rats showed increased cellularity at the lesion site together with more abundant immunoreactive axons and Schwann cells. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude was also higher in these animals, and CMAP latency was significantly lower. Treadmill performance increased in rats receiving GH. Conclusion: GH enhanced the functional recovery of the damaged nerves, thus supporting the use of GH treatment, alone or combined with other therapeutic approaches, in promoting nerve repair. Muscle Nerve, 2012     

Vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 levels after peripheral nerve injury

The aim of the present study was to evaluate whether tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 were altered after crush-induced peripheral nerve injury in an experimental rat model. A total of 80 male Wistar rats were randomized into one control (n = 8) and six study groups (1, 6, 12, 24 hours, 3, and 7 days after experimental nerve injury;n = 12 for each group). Crush-induced peripheral nerve injury was per-formed on the sciatic nerves of rats in six study groups. Tissue samples from the sites of peripheral nerve injury were obtained at 1, 6, 12, 24 hours, 3 and 7 days after experimental nerve injury. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay results showed that tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 in the injured sciatic nerve were signiifcantly greater at 1 and 12 hours after experimental nerve injury, while they were signiifcantly lower at 7 days than in control group. Tissue level of vitamin B12 in the injured sciatic nerve was signiifcantly lower at 1, 6, 12 and 24 hours than in the control group. These results suggest that tissue levels of vitamin B complex and vitamin B12 vary with progression of crush-induced peripheral nerve injury, and supplementation of these vitamins in the acute period may be beneficial for acceleration of nerve regeneration.     

Repair of sciatic nerve defects using tissue engineered nerves*

In this study, we constructed tissue-engineered nerves with acellular nerve allografts in Sprague-Dawley rats, which were prepared using chemical detergents-enzymatic digestion and mechanical methods, in combination with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of Wistar rats cultured in vitro, to repair 15 mm sciatic bone defects in Wistar rats. At postoperative 12 weeks, electrophysiological detection results showed that the conduction velocity of regenerated nerve after repair with tissue-engineered nerves was similar to that after autologous nerve grafting, and was higher than that after repair with acellular nerve allografts. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that motor endplates with acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve fibers were orderly arranged in the middle and superior parts of the gastrocnemius muscle; regenerated nerve tracts and sprouted branches were connected with motor endplates, as shown by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry combined with silver staining. The wet weight ratio of the tibialis anterior muscle at the affected contralateral hind limb was similar to the sciatic nerve after repair with autologous nerve grafts, and higher than that after repair with acellular nerve allografts. The hind limb motor function at the affected side was significantly improved, indicating that acellular nerve allografts combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell bridging could promote functional recovery of rats with sciatic nerve defects.     

Etifoxine provides benefits in nerve repair with acellular nerve grafts

Introduction: Acellular nerve grafts are good candidates for nerve repair, but the clinical outcome of grafting is not always satisfactory. We investigated whether etifoxine could enhance nerve regeneration. Methods: Seventy‐two Sprague‐Dawley rats were divided into 3 groups: (1) autograft; (2) acellular nerve graft; and (3) acellular nerve graft plus etifoxine. Histological and electrophysiological examinations were performed to evaluate the efficacy of nerve regeneration. Walking‐track analysis was used to examine functional recovery. Quantitative polymerase chain reaction was used to evaluate changes in mRNA level. Results: Etifoxine: (i) increased expression of neurofilaments in regenerated axons; (ii) improved sciatic nerve regeneration measured by histological examination; (iii) increased nerve conduction velocity; (iv) improved walking behavior as measured by footprint analysis; and (v) boosted expression of neurotrophins. Conclusions: These results show that etifoxine can enhance peripheral nerve regeneration across large nerve gaps repaired by acellular nerve grafts by increasing expression of neurotrophins. Muscle Nerve 50:235–243, 2014     

Combining chitin biological conduits with small autogenous nerves and platelet-rich plasma for the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rats

AimsPeripheral nerve defects are often difficult to recover from, and there is no optimal repair method. Therefore, it is important to explore new methods of repairing peripheral nerve defects. This study explored the efficacy of nerve grafts constructed from chitin biological conduits combined with small autogenous nerves (SANs) and platelet‐rich plasma (PRP) for repairing 10‐mm sciatic nerve defects in rats.MethodsTo prepare 10‐mm sciatic nerve defects, SANs were first harvested and PRP was extracted. The nerve grafts consisted of chitin biological conduits combined with SAN and PRP, and were used to repair rat sciatic nerve defects. These examinations, including measurements of axon growth efficiency, a gait analysis, electrophysiological tests, counts of regenerated myelinated fibers and observations of their morphology, histological evaluation of the gastrocnemius muscle, retrograde tracing with Fluor‐Gold (FG), and motor endplates (MEPs) distribution analysis, were conducted to evaluate the repair status.ResultsTwo weeks after nerve transplantation, the rate and number of regenerated axons in the PRP‐SAN group improved compared with those in the PRP, SAN, and Hollow groups. The PRP‐SAN group exhibited better recovery in terms of the sciatic functional index value, composite action potential intensity, myelinated nerve fiber density, myelin sheath thickness, and gastrectomy tissue at 12 weeks after transplantation, compared with the PRP and SAN groups. The results of FG retrograde tracing and MEPs analyses showed that numbers of FG‐positive sensory neurons and motor neurons as well as MEPs distribution density were higher in the PRP‐SAN group than in the PRP or SAN group.ConclusionsNerve grafts comprising chitin biological conduits combined with SANs and PRP significantly improved the repair of 10‐mm sciatic nerve defects in rats and may have therapeutic potential for repairing peripheral nerve defects in future applications.     

Rat Peripheral Nerve Regeneration Using Nerve Guidance Channel by Porcine Small Intestinal Submucosa

Objective

In order to develop a novel nerve guidance channel using porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) for nerve regeneration, we investigated the possibility of SIS, a tissue consisting of acellular collagen material without cellular immunogenicity, and containing many kinds of growth factors, as a natural material with a new bioactive functionality.

Methods

Left sciatic nerves were cut 5 mm in length, in 14 Sprague-Dawley rats. Grafts between the cut nerve ends were performed with a silicone tube (Silicon group, n=7) and rolled porcine SIS (SIS group, n=7). All rats underwent a motor function test and an electromyography (EMG) study on 4 and 10 weeks after grafting. After last EMG studies, the grafts, including proximal and distal nerve segments, were retrieved for histological analysis.

Results

Foot ulcers, due to hypesthesia, were fewer in SIS group than in Silicon group. The run time tests for motor function study were 2.67 seconds in Silicon group and 5.92 seconds in SIS group. Rats in SIS group showed a better EMG response for distal motor latency and amplitude than in Silicon group. Histologically, all grafts contained some axons and myelination. However, the number of axons and the degree of myelination were significantly higher in SIS group than Silicon group.

Conclusion

These results show that the porcine SIS was an excellent option as a natural biomaterial for peripheral nerve regeneration since this material contains many kinds of nerve growth factors. Furthermore, it could be used as a biocompatible barrier covering neural tissue.     

Sciatic nerve repair by acellular nerve xenografts implanted with BMSCs in rats xenograft combined with BMSCs

Acellular nerves possess the structural and biochemical features similar to those of naive endoneurial tubes, and have been proved bioactive for allogeneil graft in nerve tissue engineering. However, the source of allogenic donators is restricted in clinical treatment. To explore sufficient substitutes for acellular nerve allografts (ANA), we investigated the effectiveness of acellular nerve xenografts (ANX) combined with bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) on repairing peripheral nerve injuries. The acellular nerves derived from Sprague-Dawley rats and New Zealand rabbits were prepared, respectively, and BMSCs were implanted into the nerve scaffolds and cultured in vitro. All the grafts were employed to bridge 1 cm rat sciatic nerve gaps. Fifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five groups (n = 10 per group): ANA group, ANX group, BMSCs-laden ANA group, BMSCs-laden ANX group, and autologous nerve graft group. At 8 weeks post-transplantation, electrophysiological study was performed and the regenerated nerves were assayed morphologically. Besides, growth-promoting factors in the regenerated tissues following the BMSCs integration were detected. The results indicated that compared with the acellular nerve control groups, nerve regeneration and functional rehabilitation for the xenogenic nerve transplantation integrated with BMSCs were advanced significantly, and the rehabilitation efficacy was comparable with that of the autografting. The expression of neurotrophic factors in the regenerated nerves, together with that of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the spinal cord and muscles were elevated largely. In conclusion, ANX implanted with BMSCs could replace allografts to promote nerve regeneration effectively, which offers a reliable approach for repairing peripheral nerve defects.     

Intraoperative single administration of neutrophil peptide 1 accelerates the early functional recovery of peripheral nerves after crush injury

Neutrophil peptide 1 belongs to a family of peptides involved in innate immunity. Continuous intramuscular injection of neutrophil peptide 1 can promote the regeneration of peripheral nerves, but clinical application in this manner is not convenient. To this end, the effects of a single intraoperative administration of neutrophil peptide 1 on peripheral nerve regeneration were experimentally observed. A rat model of sciatic nerve crush injury was established using the clamp method. After model establishment, a normal saline group and a neutrophil peptide 1 group were injected with a single dose of normal saline or 10 μg/mL neutrophil peptide 1, respectively. A sham group, without sciatic nerve crush was also prepared as a control. Sciatic nerve function tests, neuroelectrophysiological tests, and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that the nerve conduction velocity, sciatic functional index, and tibialis anterior muscle fiber cross-sectional area were better in the neutrophil peptide 1 group than in the normal saline group at 4 weeks after surgery. At 4 and 8 weeks after surgery, there were no differences in the wet weight of the tibialis anterior muscle between the neutrophil peptide 1 and saline groups. Histological staining of the sciatic nerve showed no significant differences in the number of myelinated nerve fibers or the axon cross-sectional area between the neutrophil peptide 1 and normal saline groups. The above data confirmed that a single dose of neutrophil peptide 1 during surgery can promote the recovery of neurological function 4 weeks after sciatic nerve injury. All the experiments were approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital, China(approval No. 2015-50) on December 9, 2015.     

同种异体神经复合体修复兔周围神经缺损

背景：应用种植许旺细胞的去细胞同种异体神经复合体修复周围神经缺损,探索其对神经再生及功能恢复有更好的促进作用,并且免疫原性非常小。 目的：用种植胎兔许旺细胞的去细胞同种异体神经复合体修复兔缺损的坐骨神经,观察移植神经周围免疫细胞的变化及功能恢复。 　 方法：48只新西兰白兔随机分成实验组和对照组。两组动物均切除一段坐骨神经,造成2.0 cm长的缺损,实验组用种植胎兔许旺细胞的同种异体神经复合体修复坐骨神经;对照组仅用去细胞同种异体神经修复。移植后1,4,8周光镜观察移植段坐骨神经周围肌肉组织中免疫细胞的浸润情况,计数每个高倍视野免疫细胞的数量。移植后4,8,16周大体观察兔的足部溃疡形成及愈合情况,大体观察神经愈合情况;肌电图检查桥接段坐骨神经的传导速度。 结果与结论：手术区局部均未出现明显的排斥反应,实验组足部溃疡愈合情况优于对照组。移植后1周移植段坐骨神经周围肌肉组织中有大量淋巴细胞及巨噬细胞浸润,实验组明显多于对照组(P < 0.05);移植后4周,浸润的免疫细胞两组均较1周后明显减少,实验组减少更明显。移植后8周,浸润的免疫细胞更加减少,但两组间比较差异无显著性意义(P > 0.05)。移植后4周时,两组均未见明显的神经传导,8,16周神经传导速度实验组均优于对照组(P < 0.05)。提示,种植许旺细胞的去细胞同种异体神经复合体免疫原性非常小,对神经再生及功能恢复有更好的促进作用。     

左侧坐骨神经切割伤的二维磁共振神经成像：个案报告

Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) is used to determine traumatic changes within nervous trunks. A 21-year-old male was treated for neurotmesis of the left sciatic nerve. At 41 days after micro-neurosurgery, two-dimensional MRN (2-D MRN) was performed with plain and contrast scans in the left injured sciatic nerve. More than 2 years after trauma, 2-D MRN images were collected to re-examine the left sciatic nerve. Results from the first 2-D MRN examination revealed a swollen left sciatic nerve. Furthermore, T1WI revealed a local nodule with slightly high intensity, and T2WI revealed hyperintensity. The nodule was significantly enhanced. Upon 2-D MRN re-examination more than 2 years after injury, the injured left sciatic nerve trunk was thinner, and the nodule margin in the left sciatic trunk was clearer. The supero-inferior diameter was enlarged by 2 mm compared with previous films. The degree of enhancement became weaker in the nodule. 2-D MRN revealed continuity, traumatic neuroma, and atrophy of the injured sciatic nerves in detail. Thin-slice technique was crucial for this method, as well as fat-suppressed and blood flow-suppressed imaging. Key Words: Two-dimensional magnetic resonance neurography; neurotmesis; traumatic neuroma; sciatic nerve; peripheral nerve injury; neural regeneration