Clinical characteristics of compression of upper trunk brachial plexus
- VernacularTitle:臂丛上干卡压症的临床特点
- Author:
Junliang HAN
;
Feng XIA
;
Yan XU
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
upper brachial plexus;
entrapment neuropathy;
peripheral neuropathy
- From:
Journal of Clinical Neurology
1997;0(06):-
- CountryChina
- Language:Chinese
-
Abstract:
Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of compression of upper trunk brachial plexus.Methods Clinical data of 27 patient with compression of upper trunk brachial plexus were retrospective analyzed.Results All cases showed sensory disturbance in radialis sides of upper extremities.13 cases accompanied by ipsilateral breast or mid-back pain.All cases showed severe tenderness at the middle point or at the juncture between center and lower third part of posterior edge of the ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle.The tenderness always radiated to the involvement limb,the affected breast or the mid-back areas.Symptoms aggravated in 55.6%(15/27)cases when the suffering limbs were set in abducens and rotated externally position.25.9%(7/27)cases showed decreased nerve conduction velocities and 7.4%(2/27)showed abnormal motor unit potential.Radioactive ray studies found no abnormalities corresponding to the symptoms.Nerve blockade at the tenderness point together with physiotherapy were effective.4 weeks after treatment the total effective rate was 82.5%(23/27),ineffective rate was 14.8%(4/27).Conclusions The features of upper trunk brachial plexus entrapment neuropathy including:paraesthesia in radialis side of upper extremities and severe tenderness at the middle or center-lower part third of posterior edge of ipsilateral sternocleidomastoid muscle which radiates to the involvement limb,mid-back or breast.Local nerve blockade combined with physiotherapy was effective,and also one of the way for differential diagnosis.
