Arteritis and brachial plexus neuropathy as delayed complications of radiation therapy

Radiation-induced arteritis of large vessels and brachial plexus neuropathy are uncommon delayed complications of local radiation therapy. We describe a 66-year-old woman with right arm discomfort, weakness, and acrocyanosis that developed 21 years after local radiation for breast adenocarcinoma. Arteriography revealed arteritis, with ulcerated plaque formation at the subclavian-axillary artery junction, consistent with radiation-induced disease, and diffuse irregularity of the axillary artery. Electromyography showed a chronic brachial plexopathy. The patient's acrocyanosis, thought to be due to digital embolization from her vascular disease, improved with antiplatelet therapy. The concurrent combination of radiation-induced arteritis and brachial plexopathy is uncommon but should be considered in patients presenting with upper extremity pain or weakness after radiation therapy.     

Atraumatic brachial plexopathy following intravenous heroin use.

A 32-year-old man presented to the accident & emergency (A&E) department complaining of an inability to use his left arm and shoulder. The previous day he had injected heroin intravenously into his left antecubital vein. Examination revealed signs of a left-sided brachial plexus lesion. There was no history or sign of trauma. Neurological investigation revealed motor and sensory loss compatible with a complete brachial plexus lesion. He exhibited a very rare condition, asymmetrical atraumatic brachial plexopathy, thought to result from an inflammatory cause, which not only affects the brachial, but also other plexi or individual nerves in the body and thought to be related to repeated intravenous use of heroin. This is a condition for which there is no specific treatment but which usually resolves spontaneously in the absence of continuing heroin misuse.     

Permanent upper trunk plexopathy after interscalene brachial plexus block

Interscalene brachial plexus block (IBPB) has been widely used in shoulder surgical procedures. The incidence of postoperative neural injury has been estimated to be as high as 3 %. We report a long-term neurologic deficit after a nerve stimulator assisted brachial plexus block. A 55 year-old male, with right shoulder impingement syndrome was scheduled for elective surgery. The patient was given an oral dose of 10 mg of diazepam prior to the nerve stimulator assisted brachial plexus block. The patient immediately complained, as soon as the needle was placed in the interscalene area, of a sharp pain in his right arm and he was sedated further. Twenty-four hours later, the patient complained of severe shoulder and arm pain that required an increased dose of analgesics. Severe peri-scapular atrophy developed over the following days. Electromyography studies revealed an upper trunk plexus injury with severe denervation of the supraspinatus, infraspinatus and deltoid muscles together with a moderate denervation of the biceps brachii muscle. Chest X-rays showed a diaphragmatic palsy which was not present post operatively. Pulmonary function tests were also affected. Phrenic nerve paralysis was still present 18 months after the block as was dysfunction of the brachial plexus resulting in an inability to perform flexion, abduction and external rotation of the right shoulder. Severe brachial plexopathy was probably due to a local anesthetic having been administrated through the perineurium and into the nerve fascicles. Severe brachial plexopathy is an uncommon but catastrophic complication of IBPB. We propose a clinical algorithm using ultrasound guidance during nerve blocks as a safer technique of regional anesthesia.     

A Sledgehammer on the Brachial Plexus: Thoracic Outlet Syndrome, Subclavius Posticus Muscle, and Traction in Aggregate

Özçakar L, Güney M?, Özda? F, Alay S, K?ralp MZ, Görür R, Saraço?lu M. A sledgehammer on the brachial plexus: thoracic outlet syndrome, subclavius posticus muscle, and traction in aggregate.Reported here is a 30-year-old man who was seen because of pain and weakness in the upper extremities after a tractional injury. Physical examination revealed significant atrophy in the left deltoid and right intrinsic hand muscles, generalized hypoesthesia, decreased deep tendon reflexes bilaterally, and decreased strength in various muscle groups. Roos (right) and hyperabduction (bilateral) tests were positive. Electrodiagnostic studies were consistent with bilateral brachial plexopathy. Cervical radiographs showed long transverse process of C7 on the right side and a small rudimentary rib articulating with C7 on the left side. Brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated an aberrant muscle and compressive brachial plexus injury on the left side. Surgery via transaxillary approach was performed on the left side. The occurrence of traumatic brachial plexopathy in the presence of underlying thoracic outlet syndrome and subclavius posticus muscle is discussed for the first time in the literature.     

Unilateral brachial plexus injury as a complication of thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis: a case report

Unilateral brachial plexus injury is a rare complication of thoracoscopic sympathectomy, which is generally considered to be a simple and safe procedure. We report on a 26-year-old man who developed weakness and numbness of the right arm after thoracoscopic sympathectomy for hyperhidrosis. Electromyographic study revealed evidence of denervation in the upper trunk of the right brachial plexus. A nerve conduction study on the right axillary nerve revealed a reduced compound muscle action potential amplitude at the right deltoid muscle. We suggest that this complication was caused by stretch and/or compression when the arm was hyperabducted during the operation. The outcome was excellent, with almost complete recovery 3 months later. The complication can be prevented by minimizing operation time and avoiding hyperabduction of the arm. The prognosis for postoperative brachial plexopathy is usually good with conservative management.     

Nonsurgical Treatment of Delayed-Onset Brachial Plexopathy Due to Hypertrophic Clavicular Callus: A Case Report

Clavicular fractures are common injuries that traditionally are managed nonsurgically without clinically significant sequelae. However, they may develop hypertrophic callus formation that compresses the brachial plexus. These cases may present months to years after initial injury with varying degrees of pain, paresthesia, and weakness on the affected side and usually are treated by surgical resection of the hypertrophic callus. We present a case of brachial plexopathy due to hypertrophic clavicular callus causing weakness and paresthesia. The plexopathy was confirmed with imaging and electrodiagnostic studies. This case was unusual in that resolution of symptoms was achieved nonsurgically.

Monoparesis with complex regional pain syndrome-like symptoms due to brachial plexopathy caused by the varicella zoster virus: a case report

Viral invasion of the motoneurons and the subsequent inflammation in the anterior horn cells by the varicella zoster virus results in a weakness in the area of the cutaneous eruption. The exact mechanism of zoster paresis is uncertain. The occurrence of symptoms resembling complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) is common in subjects where the herpes zoster (HZ) outbreak affects an extremity, particularly if it is the distal extremity that is involved. We report the case of a 54-year-old man with monoparesis, hyperalgesia, allodynia, edema, and both color and skin-temperature changes in his left arm after a skin eruption. Electrophysiologic examination revealed the partial degeneration of the superior, middle, and inferior truncus in the brachial plexus, with evidence of HZ infection. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cervical spine and brachial plexus showed degenerative changes without any evidence of nerve root compression. Brachial plexopathy may be the direct cause of the reversible upper-limb paresis resulting from HZ with CRPS-like symptoms.     

Pectoral nerve conduction studies: technique in healthy subjects and evaluation of brachial plexopathy

OBJECTIVE: To define the optimal nerve conduction study (NCS) technique of the pectoral nerves and evaluate its clinical utility. DESIGN: Prospective electrophysiologic study with healthy controls. SETTING: Electrophysiologic laboratory in a large general hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Thirty healthy controls and 10 patients with cervical root or brachial plexus pathologies. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURE: Correlation of pectoral NCS with electromyography and magnetic resonance imaging. RESULTS: For pectoral NCS, the mean values +/- standard deviation of onset latency, amplitude, and interside amplitude ratio (ratio of smaller over larger amplitude) were 2.01+/-0.22 ms, 11.75+/-2.21 mV, and .95+/-.04 mV, respectively. Subject age correlated significantly with both onset latency (r=.46, P<.001) and amplitude (r=-.34, P<.008). All 5 patients with brachial plexopathy had amplitude ratios below the normal limit of controls (.87). However, this was not seen for all 5 patients with cervical spondylotic radiculopathy. CONCLUSIONS: The pectoral NCS technique is feasible in healthy subjects. It is useful when differentiating brachial plexopathy from cervical root lesions.     

Neurophysiological Identification of Position-Induced Neurologic Injury During Anterior Cervical Spine Surgery

This study was a retrospective review of 3,806 patients who underwent anterior cervical spine surgery with multi-modality neurophysiological monitoring consisting of transcranial electric motor evoked potentials, somatosensory evoked potentials and spontaneous electromyography between 1999–2003. The objectives of this study were twofold: (1) to evaluate the role of transcranial electric motor evoked potential tceMEP and ulnar nerve somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring for identifying impending position-related stretch brachial plexopathy, peripheral nerve entrapment/compression or spinal cord compression and (2) to estimate the point-prevalence of impending neurologic injury secondary to surgical positioning effects. Sixty-nine of 3,806 patients (1.8% showed intraoperative evidence of impending neurologic injury secondary to positioning, prompting interventional repositioning of the patient. The brachial plexus was the site of evolving injury in 65% of these 69 cases. Impending brachial plexopathy was most commonly noted immediately following shoulder taping and the application of counter-traction. Brachial plexus stretch upon neck extension for optimal surgical access and visualization was second in frequency-of-occurrence. Evolving traction injury to the ulnar nerve attributed to tightly-wrapped or malpositioned arms was observed in 16% of alerted cases, whereas evolving spinal cord injury following neck extension accounted for an additional 19%. This study highlights the role of tceMEP and ulnar nerve SSEP monitoring for detecting emerging peripheral nerve injury secondary to positioning in preparation for and during anterior cervical spine surgery.     

Distribution and extent of involvement in brachial plexopathies caused by gunshot wounds, motor vehicle crashes, and other etiologies: a 10-year electromyography study

OBJECTIVE: To examine the differences in the extent and distribution of brachial plexopathy involvement caused by gunshot wounds (GSW), motor vehicle crashes (MVCs), and other etiologies, based on electrophysiologic data. DESIGN: Retrospective review of electrophysiologic data from 1993 to 2002. SETTING: A large urban county hospital. PARTICIPANTS: Sequential patients (N=109) with the diagnosis of brachial plexopathy established by electromyography testing. This included 35 patients with GSW, 25 involved in an MVC, and 49 with other etiologies. INTERVENTIONS: Not applicable.Main Outcome Measures The brachial plexus was divided into 9 regions: upper, middle, and lower root; upper, middle, and lower trunks; and lateral, posterior, and medial cords. Regions involved by needle study on electromyography were denoted as positive or negative. The total number of regions involved was also recorded. RESULTS: Injury was most common in the trunks (52%), cords (36%), and roots (12%) (Pearson chi(2), P<.000). Specifically, the "other" category had the greatest number of injuries to the trunks (54%) (Pearson chi(2), P<.000), whereas the trunks (46%) and cords (45%) were more evenly affected in GSW cases (Pearson chi(2), P=.585). In the MVC group, there was a trend toward more trunks (56%) being affected (Pearson chi(2), P=.076). CONCLUSIONS: Differences were noted in the distribution of injury when examining subtypes of traumatic brachial plexopathies.     

Electrodiagnostic localization of traumatic upper trunk brachial plexopathy

Eighteen patients having traumatic upper trunk brachial plexopathy ("the stinger"), a common football injury, were investigated electrodiagnostically. Proximal nerve conduction was determined by stimulating the supraclavicular fossa and at the C5 root and recording from muscles supplied by the long thoracic, suprascapular, musculocutaneous, axillary, lateral pectoral and thoracodorsal nerves. The accessory nerve was stimulated in the lateral posterior triangle and the evoked potential recorded from the upper trapezius muscle. Median and ulnar nerves were also tested, sensory and motor fibers being stimulated peripherally and proximally. Conduction slowing was observed in 16 patients mainly in the proximal segments of the axillary, musculocutaneous, suprascapular and accessory nerves. The most commonly observed electromyographic abnormalities were an increase in polyphasic waves and decreased recruitment. Spontaneous activity was sparse. These abnormalities appear to result most likely from compression of the most superficially located fibers of the brachial plexus at Erb's point. As a significant etiologic factor, the impact of ill-fitting shoulder pads against the neck during a football tackle is suggested. This empirical observation was supported by the decrease of "stingers" after the improvement of the shoulder gear.     

Paraneoplastic brachial plexopathy in a patient with Hodgkin's disease.

We describe a case of inflammatory brachial plexopathy that occurred in the context of a mild, diffuse sensorimotor peripheral neuropathy associated with Hodgkin's disease. Clinical, electrophysiologic, and pathologic studies helped distinguish this disorder from other causes of brachial plexopathy in patients with cancer. Treatment with corticosteroids seemed beneficial in this patient. We suggest that this may be another type of paraneoplastic condition associated with Hodgkin's disease.     

Pancoast tumor presenting as cervical radiculopathy

A case of Pancoast tumor presenting as cervical radiculopathy is reported, including the clinical, EMG, and radiologic findings. A 64-year-old man with a two-month history of left shoulder pain and left arm numbness at the medial aspect of the hand and forearm presented for electrodiagnostic examination, and a severe C8 radiculopathy was documented. Subsequent radiologic evaluation (myelogram and routine chest x-ray) yielded the diagnosis of left apical lung tumor (Pancoast tumor), eroding through the C7 and T1 pedicles and T1 vertebral body, with cut-off of the left C8 nerve root. Pancoast tumor has long been implicated as a cause of brachial plexopathy. The EMG presentation of isolated cervical radiculopathy, however, has not been previously reported, despite the tumor's known tendency for local invasion which may include the nerve roots and even the spinal canal in its advanced stages. This patient's normal sensory studies argue against any significant coexisting lower brachial plexopathy. The possibility of Pancoast lesion should be considered not only in the presence of brachial plexopathy, but also when C8 or T1 radiculopathy is found.     

Delayed diagnosis of concomitant rotator cuff tear and brachial plexopathy in a patient with traumatic brain injury: A case report

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is often accompanied by additional trauma that can be obscured by cognitive dysfunction or multiple injuries in the same region of the body. This report describes the case of an unhelmeted motorcycle rider who collided with a telephone pole. He sustained a diffuse subarachnoid hemorrhage, bilateral subdural hematomas (right frontal and left temporal), diffuse axonal injury in the subcortical and periventricular white matter, and a left tibial fracture. After medical and surgical stabilization, he was transferred to a subacute rehabilitation facility and then to a rehabilitation center. He was evaluated for pain and limited range of motion in his right shoulder, where both a rotator cuff tear and a brachial plexopathy were diagnosed. This report discusses concomitant injuries that occur with TBI, and the management of rotator cuff tears and brachial plexopathy.     

Rucksack-induced plexopathy mimicking a lateral antebrachial cutaneous neuropathy

A 20-yr-old active duty soldier complained of right lateral forearm numbness that began shortly after carrying 100 lbs of equipment (20-lb load-bearing equipment, 20-lb individual body armor, and 60-lb rucksack) while deployed during Operation Iraqi Freedom. Physical examination revealed normal strength but decreased sensation over the right lateral forearm, thumb, and index finger. Imaging studies were normal. Electrodiagnostic studies revealed an absent right lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve conduction study with abnormal electromyography findings in the right deltoid and biceps brachii. He was diagnosed with an upper trunk brachial plexopathy. The patient's symptoms gradually resolved with conservative treatment. Although rucksack palsies have been previously reported, this relatively rare cause of brachial plexus injury has been generally declining with the reengineering of more ergonomically favorable rucksacks. It is possible that the additional body armor may have contributed.     

用GD—DTPA增强改善MRI显示臂丛神经损伤

目的:寻找改善MRI显示臂丛神经损伤的新方法。方法:选用6例臂丛神经损伤的患者,用0.5和1.5Tesla的MRI扫描设备。做冠状位和横断位扫描。用GD-DTPA静脉注射前后MRI扫描T1W图象比较。结果:6例增强后T1W图象均表明GD-DTPA可明显增强臂丛神经的显示效果,特别是能改善对臂丛神经椎管外部分的显示。结论:用GD-DTPA增强扫描有助于MRI对臂丛神经损伤的诊断,值得推广。     

Bilateral brachial plexus home going catheters after digital amputation for patient with upper extremity digital gangrene

Peripheral nerve catheter placement is used to control surgical pain. Performing bilateral brachial plexus block with catheters is not frequently performed; and in our case sending patient home with bilateral brachial plexus catheters has not been reported up to our knowledge. Our patient is a 57 years old male patient presented with bilateral upper extremity digital gangrene on digits 2 through 4 on both sides with no thumb involvement. The plan was to do the surgery under sequential axillary blocks. On the day of surgery a right axillary brachial plexus block was performed under ultrasound guidance using 20 ml of 0.75% ropivacaine. Patient was taken to the OR and the right fingers amputation was carried out under mild sedation without problems. Left axillary brachial plexus block was then done as the surgeon was closing the right side, two hours after the first block was performed. The left axillary block was done also under ultrasound using 20 ml of 2% mepivacaine. The brachial plexus blocks were performed in a sequential manner. Surgery was unremarkable, and patient was transferred to post anesthetic care unit in stable condition. Over that first postoperative night, the patient complained of severe pain at the surgical sites with minimal pain relief with parentral opioids. We placed bilateral brachial plexus catheters (right axillary and left infra-clavicular brachial plexus catheters). Ropivacaine 0.2% infusion was started at 7 ml per hour basal rate only with no boluses on each side. The patient was discharged home with the catheters in place after receiving the appropriate education. On discharge both catheters were connected to a single ON-Q (I-flow Corporation, Lake Forest, CA) ball pump with a 750 ml reservoir using a Y connection and were set to deliver a fixed rate of 7 ml for each catheter. The brachial plexus catheters were removed by the patient on day 5 after surgery without any difficulty. Patient's postoperative course was otherwise unremarkable. We concluded that home going catheters are very effective in pain control postoperatively and they shorten the period of hospital stay. KEYWORDS: Brachial plexus; Home going catheters; Post-operative pain.     

3D-nerve序列对新生儿臂丛神经的成像效果

目的 与背景抑制DWI（DWIBS）、基于3D短T1反转恢复（3D-STIR）序列对比,探讨3D-nerve序列对新生儿臂丛神经的成像效果。方法 对15例臂丛神经损伤的新生儿行MR扫描,扫描序列包括3D-nerve、DWBIS、3D-STIR,评估每个序列图像的血管搏动伪影、脂肪抑制均匀性及臂丛神经分支的显示效果,并测量神经-脂肪比,神经-肌肉比。结果 臂丛神经在DWIBS序列图像上显示效果差,无法观察;3D-nerve血管搏动伪影和脂肪抑制不均匀与3D-STIR比较差异均无统计学意义（P均>0.05）。3D-nerve、3D-STIR对新生儿臂丛神经根、神经干的显示率均为100%（15/15）;3D nerve对神经束、神经支的显示率为100%（15/15）和66.67%（10/15）,3D-STIR对神经束、神经支的显示率为93.33%（14/15）和53.33%（8/15）,差异无统计学意义（P=1.00、0.71）。3D-nerve序列神经-脂肪比和神经-肌肉比优于3D-STIR序列,差异有统计学意义（P均<0.05）。结论 3D-nerve序列在新生儿臂丛神经损伤中的成像效果明显优于DWBIS及3D-STIR序列。     

高频超声在正常臂丛神经检查中的应用

目的 探讨高频超声显示臂丛神经的可行性及方法学。方法 用高频超声检查12例正常人臂丛神经，确认其与周围组织解剖定位关系。结果 正常臂丛神经长轴显示多条线性平行回声，短轴呈圆形中等回声，内有点状弱回声，斜角肌间隙、锁骨下动脉和颈深动脉是检查中的重要标志，C5-7显示率100％（12／12例），C8、T1显示率83．3％（10／12例）。结论 高频超声可为臂丛神经的形态学观察提供新的影像检查方法。     

The natural history and management of brachial plexus birth palsy

Brachial plexus birth palsy (BPBP) is an upper extremity paralysis that occurs due to traction injury of the brachial plexus during childbirth. Approximately 20 % of children with brachial plexus birth palsy will have residual neurologic deficits. These permanent and significant impacts on upper limb function continue to spur interest in optimizing the management of a problem with a highly variable natural history. BPBP is generally diagnosed on clinical examination and does not typically require cross-sectional imaging. Physical examination is also the best modality to determine candidates for microsurgical reconstruction of the brachial plexus. The key finding on physical examination that determines need for microsurgery is recovery of antigravity elbow flexion by 3–6 months of age. When indicated, both microsurgery and secondary shoulder and elbow procedures are effective and can substantially improve functional outcomes. These procedures include nerve transfers and nerve grafting in infants and secondary procedures in children, such as botulinum toxin injection, shoulder tendon transfers, and humeral derotational osteotomy.