OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the etiology of non-traumatic plexopathy and clarify the clinical, electrophysiological characteristics according to its etiology. METHOD: We performed a retrospective analysis of 63 non-traumatic plexopathy patients that had been diagnosed by nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG). Clinical, electrophysiological, imaging findings were obtained from medical records. RESULTS: We identified 36 cases with brachial plexopathy (BP) and 27 cases with lumbosacral plexopathy (LSP). The causes of plexopathy were neoplastic (36.1%), thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) (25.0%), radiation induced (16.7%), neuralgic amyotrophy (8.3%), perioperative (5.6%), unknown (8.3%) in BP, while neoplastic (59.3%), radiation induced (22.2%), neuralgic amyotrophy (7.4%), psoas muscle abscess (3.7%), and unknown (7.4%) in LSP. In neoplastic plexopathy, pain presented as the first symptom in most patients (82.8%), with the lower trunk of the brachial plexus predominantly involved. In radiation induced plexopathy (RIP), pain was a common initial symptom, but the proportion was smaller (50%), and predominant involvements of bilateral lumbosacral plexus and whole trunk of brachial or lumbosacral plexus were characteristic. Myokymic discharges were noted in 41.7% patients with RIP. Abnormal NCS finding in the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve was the most sensitive to diagnose TOS. Neuralgic amyotrophy of the brachial plexus showed upper trunk involvement in all cases. CONCLUSION: By integrating anatomic, pathophysiologic knowledge with detailed clinical assessment and the results of ancillary studies, physicians can make an accurate diagnosis and prognosis.
Abscess ; Adult ; Brachial Plexus ; Brachial Plexus Neuritis ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Electromyography ; Electrophysiology ; Humans ; Lumbosacral Plexus ; Needles ; Neural Conduction ; Prognosis ; Psoas Muscles ; Retrospective Studies ; Thoracic Outlet Syndrome

Brachial plexus neuritis is reportedly caused by various factors; however, it has not been described in association with Streptococcus agalactiae. This is a case report of a patient diagnosed with brachial plexus neuritis associated with pyogenic arthritis of the shoulder. A 57-year-old man visited the hospital complaining of sudden weakness and painful swelling of the left arm. The diagnosis was pyogenic arthritis of the left shoulder, and the patient was treated with open irrigation and debridement accompanied by intravenous antibiotic therapy. S. agalactiae was isolated from a wound culture, and an electrodiagnostic study showed brachial plexopathy involving the left upper and middle trunk. Nine weeks after onset, muscle strength improved in most of the affected muscles, and an electrodiagnostic study showed signs of reinnervation. In conclusion, S. agalactiae infection can lead to various complications including brachial plexus neuritis.
Arm ; Arthritis ; Brachial Plexus Neuritis* ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Debridement ; Diagnosis ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Muscle Strength ; Muscles ; Shoulder ; Streptococcus agalactiae* ; Wounds and Injuries

We report our therapeutic experience in a patient with complex regional pain syndrome (CRPS) related to brachial plexitis. A 16-year-old female suffered from excruciating burning pain and allodynia abruptly developed on left shoulder. Cervical MRI was normal. Electrodiagnostic findings were compatible with acute brachial plexopathy. Hand swelling, dystrophic color change, desquamation, and anhidrosis were displayed. Three-phase bone scan revealed increased radio-uptake on left upper extremity. The course of the disease was slowly progressive with wax and wane pattern. Pain became gradually intractable to all therapeutic modalities and medications. She gradually improved with long-term multimodal pain management. After 2 years of disease-free period, CRPS recurred and the extent was more severe than the first attack. We tried oral mexiletine, risedronate, high dose multi-vitamin, and leukotriene modulator which were effective in reducing pain and allodynia. Hand swelling gradually subsided and functional regain was obtained.
Adolescent ; Brachial Plexus Neuritis ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Burns ; Female ; Hand ; Humans ; Hyperalgesia ; Hypohidrosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Mexiletine ; Pain Management ; Rehabilitation ; Risedronate Sodium ; Shoulder ; Upper Extremity

Myeloid sarcoma is a solid, extramedullary tumor comprising of immature myeloid cells. It may occur in any organ; however, the invasion of peripheral nervous system is rare. Herein, we report the case of myeloid sarcoma on the brachial plexus. A 37-year-old woman with acute myelogenous leukemia achieved complete remission after chemotherapy. One year later, she presented right shoulder pain, progressive weakness in the right upper extremity and hypesthesia. Based on magnetic resonance images (MRI) and electrophysiologic study, a provisional diagnosis of brachial plexus neuritis was done and hence steroid pulse therapy was carried out. Three months later the patient presented epigastric pain. After upper gastrointestinal endoscopy, myeloid sarcoma of gastrointestinal tract was confirmed pathologically. Moreover, 18-fluoride fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography showed a fusiform shaped mass lesion at the brachial plexus overlapping with previous high signal lesion on the MRI. Therefore, we concluded the final diagnosis as brachial plexopathy due to myeloid sarcoma.
Brachial Plexus ; Brachial Plexus Neuritis ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Tract ; Humans ; Hypesthesia ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Myeloid Cells ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Peripheral Nervous System ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; Sarcoma, Myeloid ; Shoulder Pain ; Upper Extremity

No abstract available.
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies*

Segmental zoster paresis is characterized by skin rash, sensory change and motor weakness in the myotome that corresponds to the dermatome of the rash. Herpes zoster induced pure motor paresis is a rare complication of herpes zoster without sensory involvement in brachial plexopathy. We present a case of segmental paresis, which involved motor nerve without sensory nerve involvement electrophysiologically.
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Exanthema ; Herpes Zoster ; Paresis

No abstract available.
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies* ; Lipomatosis, Multiple Symmetrical*

Complex regional pain syndrome secondary to brachial plexus injury is often severe, debilitating and difficult to manage. Percuteneous radiofrequency sympathectomy is a relatively new technique, which has shown promising results in various chronic pain disorders. We present four consecutive patients with complex regional pain syndrome secondary to brachial plexus injury for more than 6 months duration, who had undergone percutaneous T2 and T3 radiofrequency sympathectomy after a diagnostic block. All four patients experienced minimal pain relief with conservative treatment and stellate ganglion blockade. An acceptable 6 month pain relief was achieved in all 4 patients where pain score remained less than 50% than that of initial score and all oral analgesics were able to be tapered down. There were no complications attributed to this procedure were reported. From this case series, percutaneous T2 and T3 radiofrequency sympathectomy might play a significant role in multi-modal approach of CRPS management.
Analgesics ; Brachial Plexus ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Chronic Pain ; Humans ; Stellate Ganglion ; Sympathectomy

Brachial Plexus ; surgery ; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Humans ; Nerve Transfer ; methods ; Spinal Nerve Roots ; surgery

Brachial plexus injury is a potential complication of a brachial plexus block or vessel puncture. It results from direct needle trauma, neurotoxicity of injection agents and hematoma formation. The neurological presentation may range from minor transient pain to severe sensory disturbance or motor loss with poor recovery. The management includes conservative treatment and surgical exploration. Especially if a hematoma forms, it should be removed promptly. Comprehensive knowledge of anatomy and adept skills are crucial to avoid nerve injuries. Whenever possible, the patient should not be heavily sedated and should be encouraged to immediately inform the doctor of any experience of numbness/paresthesia during the nerve block or vessel puncture.
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies ; Brachial Plexus* ; Hematoma ; Humans ; Needles ; Nerve Block* ; Punctures* ; Subclavian Vein