The clinical manifestations and outcomes of neuralgic amyotrophy
- Author:
Jung Soo Lee
;
Yoon Tae Kim
;
Joon Sung Kim
;
Bo Young Hong
;
Lee Chan Jo
;
Seong Hoon Lim
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Neuralgic amyotrophy;
outcome;
prognosis;
recovery
- MeSH:
Brachial Plexus Neuritis
- From:Neurology Asia
2017;22(1):9-13
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background & Objective: Although the clinical manifestations and outcomes of neuralgic amyotrophy
have been previously described, some controversies remain. Thus, we evaluated clinical manifestations
and outcomes of patients with neuralgic amyotrophy. Methods: We evaluated the clinical and
electrodiagnostic data, and the outcomes, of 32 patients with neuralgic amyotrophy.Of the 32 patients,
26 were followed-up for one year after onset of the disease.Results:The initial symptoms were pain
(50.0%), pain with weakness (21.9%), other sensory symptoms without weakness (6.3%), and painless
weakness or atrophy (21.9%). The commonly involved nerves were the median (75.0%), radial (68.8%),
suprascapular (50.0%), ulnar (50.0%), axillary (46.9%), and musculocutaneous (40.6%) nerves. The
initial symptoms were not associated with nerve involvement. Of all patients, 59% recovered fully,
16% had residual mild weakness without functional disability, and 6% experienced persistent severe
weakness and were unable to return to work. Some patients were not evaluated because they were
lost to follow-up.
Conclusions: Painless weakness as an initial symptom of neuralgic amyotrophy may be more common
than previously noted. Of all patients, 75% enjoyed favorable outcomes by one year after disease onset.
These results will be useful when planning treatment strategies and will deepen our understanding of
prognosis of neuralgic amyotrophy.
- Full text:P020170413311164313773.pdf
