- See: Parsonage-Turner Syndrome:
- Discussion:
- characterized by acute or subacute onset of severe pain in neck, arm, & hand along w/ varialble muscle weakness & loss in sensation;
- pain is usually severe and constant and aggravated by moving the arm;
- diff dx: neuropathic disorder
- clinical coarse:
- recovery occurs over a period of several weeks or months;
- treatment involves complete rest of the arm and analgesics;
- Exam: of Brachial Plexus:
- neuro exam of the brachial plexus:
- in brachial neuritis, motor changes will predominate over sensory changes;
- there may be variable weakness from C5 to T1;
- Studies:
- CXR: (elevated hemidiaphram)
- C-Spine X-ray:
- EMG:
- perform at 3-4 weeks (look for F wave)
- w/ preganglionic lesion, see denervating potentials in segmental paraspinal muscles innervated by the posterior primary rami;
- ref: Clinical Diagnosis, Testing, and Electromyographic Study in Brachial Plexus Traction Injuries;
- Initial Treatment:
- avoid a sling because of the propensity to acquire a fixed internally rotated and flexed shoulder, and will have stiff elbow
Brachial Neuritis.