brachial plexopathy

Etiology

• injury to the brachial plexus
  • traumatic stretching injuries (including birth trauma)
  • pressure from tumors in the area (especially lung cancer)
  • radiation therapy
• birth defects that put pressure on the neck area
• exposure to toxins, chemicals or drugs
• general anesthesia
• inflammation
  • idiopathic brachial plexitis
• diabetes mellitus

Pathology

• direct nerve injury

Clinical manifestations

• numbness of the shoulder, arm, or hand
• shoulder pain
• paresthesias
• weakness of the shoulder, arm, hand, or wrist
  • weakness flexing hand
• diminished arm reflexes
• muscle atrophy

Diagnostic procedures

• nerve conduction studies

Radiology

• X-ray of shoulder
• magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of shoulder

Complications

• contracture
• paresis or paralysis
• loss of sensation in arm, hand or fingers

Management

• physical therapy
• occupational therapy
• analgesia for neurogenic pain
  • NSAIDs
  • antidepressants (tricyclic antidepressants or duloxetine)
  • anticonvulsants
• surgery

More general terms

• plexopathy

More specific terms

• brachial plexus neuropathy (Parsonage-Turner syndrome)

Additional terms

• brachial plexus