Magnetic resonance imaging of traumatic and non-traumatic brachial plexopathies.

Author: Yiru Lorna FAN ¹ ; Mohamad Isham Bin OTHMAN ² ; Niraj DUBEY ² ; Wilfred Cg PEH ²
Author Information

1. NHG-AHPL Residency in Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health System, Singapore.
2. Department of Diagnostic Radiology, Khoo Teck Puat Hospital, Alexandra Health System, Singapore.
Publication Type:Journal Article
Keywords: anatomy; brachial plexus; magnetic resonance imaging; neuropathies; trauma
MeSH: Adult; Aged; Brachial Plexus; anatomy & histology; diagnostic imaging; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies; diagnostic imaging; Female; Humans; Magnetic Resonance Imaging; Male; Middle Aged; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; diagnostic imaging; therapy; Wounds and Injuries; diagnostic imaging
From:Singapore medical journal 2016;57(10):552-560
CountrySingapore
Language:English
Abstract: Adult-onset brachial plexopathy can be classified into traumatic and non-traumatic aetiologies. Traumatic brachial plexopathies can affect the pre- or postganglionic segments of the plexus. Non-traumatic brachial plexopathies may be due to neoplasia, radiotherapy, thoracic outlet syndrome and idiopathic neuralgic amyotrophy. Conventional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful to localise the area of injury or disease, and identify the likely cause. This review discusses some of the common causes of adult-onset brachial plexopathy and their imaging features on MRI. We also present a series of cases to illustrate some of these causes and their MRI findings.