Pictorial essay: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of brachial plexus pathologies

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Abstract

Brachial plexopathies, traumatic and nontraumatic, often present with vague symptoms. Clinical examination and electrophysiological studies are useful but may not localize the lesion accurately. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with its multiplanar imaging capability and soft tissue contrast resolution plays an important role in evaluation of the abnormal brachial plexus.

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Imaging assessment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Xavier Demondion, Pascal Herbinet, Serge Van Sint Jan … (2015)

The thoracic outlet includes three compartments (the interscalene triangle, costoclavicular space, and retropectoralis minor space), which extend from the cervical spine and mediastinum to the lower border of the pectoralis minor muscle. Dynamically induced compression of the neural, arterial, or venous structures crossing these compartments leads to thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS). The diagnosis is based on the results of clinical evaluation, particularly if symptoms can be reproduced when various dynamic maneuvers, including elevation of the arm, are undertaken. However, clinical diagnosis is often difficult; thus, the use of imaging is required to demonstrate neurovascular compression and to determine the nature and location of the structure undergoing compression and the structure producing the compression. Cervical plain radiography should be performed first to assess for bone abnormalities and to narrow the differential diagnosis. Computed tomographic (CT) angiography or magnetic resonance (MR) imaging performed in association with postural maneuvers is helpful in analyzing the dynamically induced compression. B-mode and color duplex ultrasonography (US) are good supplementary tools for assessment of vessel compression in association with postural maneuvers, especially in cases with positive clinical features of TOS but negative features of TOS at CT and MR imaging. US may also allow analysis of the brachial plexus. However, MR imaging remains the method of choice when searching for neurologic compression. RSNA, 2006

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Brachial plexus injury: clinical manifestations, conventional imaging findings, and the latest imaging techniques.

Takeharu Yoshikawa, Naoki Yoshioka, Osamu Abe … (2006)

Brachial plexus injury (BPI) is a severe neurologic injury that causes functional impairment of the affected upper limb. Imaging studies play an essential role in differentiating between preganglionic and postganglionic injuries, a distinction that is crucial for optimal treatment planning. Findings at standard myelography, computed tomographic (CT) myelography, and conventional magnetic resonance (MR) imaging help determine the location and severity of injuries. MR imaging sometimes demonstrates signal intensity changes in the spinal cord, and enhancement of nerve roots and paraspinal muscles at MR imaging indicates the presence of root avulsion injuries. New techniques including MR myelography, diffusion-weighted neurography, and Bezier surface reformation can also be useful in the evaluation and management of BPI. MR myelography with state-of-the-art technology yields remarkably high-quality images, although it cannot replace CT myelography entirely. Diffusion-weighted neurography is a cutting-edge technique for visualizing postganglionic nerve roots. Bezier surface reformation allows the depiction of entire intradural nerve roots on a single image. CT myelography appears to be the preferred initial imaging modality, with standard myelography and contrast material-enhanced MR imaging being recommended as additional studies. Work-up will vary depending on the equipment used, the management policy of peripheral nerve surgeons, and, most important, the individual patient. (c) RSNA, 2006.

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Treatment of brachial plexus injury.

A Nagano (1997)

A brachial plexus injury is the most severe nerve injury of the extremities. To achieve good results from treatment, correct diagnosis and early nerve repair are mandatory. The brachial plexus should be explored as early as possible if there is an incised wound, if clinical findings or diagnostic imaging indicate that at least one root is avulsed, if there is damage to the subclavian artery, and if there is total-type injury. With an upper-type injury with no clinical signs of a preganglionic lesion, the patient should be treated conservatively for 3 months and if there are no signs of recovery, then the brachial plexus should be explored. During this exploration, recording of the spinal cord evoked potential (ESCP) or the somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) is mandatory to determine the site of injury. Nerve grafting is indicated for a rupture in the root demonstrating a positive ESCP or SEP potential, in the trunk or in the cord. Exploration of the brachial plexus should be extended distally as far as possible to achieve good results after nerve grafting; when this was done more than M3 (MRC grading) power of the infraspinatus, deltoid, and biceps was achieved in more than 70% of our 32, 30, 33 patients, respectively. Results of nerve grafting for the forearm muscles have been very poor. Intercostal nerve transfer is recommended to restore elbow flexion in root avulsion type of injury, with elbow flexion to more than M3 being regained in 70% of our 221 patients. The best results of intercostal nerve transfer were achieved in patients younger than 30 years who received the operation within 6 months after injury. Motor recovery of hand function after intercostal nerve transfer was poor but protective sensation was restored in fingers innervated by the median nerve. The recommended treatment for each type of injury is described according to the results achieved.

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Author and article information

Journal

Journal ID (nlm-ta): Indian J Radiol Imaging

Journal ID (iso-abbrev): Indian J Radiol Imaging

Journal ID (publisher-id): IJRI

Title: The Indian Journal of Radiology & Imaging

Publisher: Medknow Publications & Media Pvt Ltd (India )

ISSN (Print): 0971-3026

ISSN (Electronic): 1998-3808

Publication date (Print): Oct-Dec 2012

Volume: 22

Issue: 4

Pages: 344-349

Affiliations

[1]Department of MRI, Dr. Balabhai Nanavati Hospital, Mumbai, India

Author notes

Correspondence: Dr. Malini A Lawande, 5A, Shimpla Vignaharta Scty, 35, Juhu Versova Link Road, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400 053, India. E-mail: malinilawande@ 123456gmail.com

Article

Publisher ID: IJRI-22-344

DOI: 10.4103/0971-3026.111489

PMC ID: 3698898

PubMed ID: 23833427

SO-VID: 0bdf1989-9174-4274-ad4a-77b228add85a

License:

This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution-Noncommercial-Share Alike 3.0 Unported, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Pictorial essay: Role of magnetic resonance imaging in evaluation of brachial plexus pathologies

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Most cited references 12

Imaging assessment of thoracic outlet syndrome.

Brachial plexus injury: clinical manifestations, conventional imaging findings, and the latest imaging techniques.

Treatment of brachial plexus injury.

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