MRI Neurography Findings in Patients with Idiopathic Brachial Plexopathy: Correlations with Clinical-neurophysiological Data in Eight Consecutive Cases

Marco Luigetti; Emanuele Pravatà; Cesare Colosimo; Mario Sabatelli; Marcella Masciullo; Fioravante Capone; Mauro Lo Monaco; Mauro Monforte; Gabriella Silvestri; Enzo Ricci; Enzo Pacciani; Vincenzo Di Lazzaro

doi:10.2169/internalmedicine.52.0533

ORIGINAL ARTICLES

MRI Neurography Findings in Patients with Idiopathic Brachial Plexopathy: Correlations with Clinical-neurophysiological Data in Eight Consecutive Cases

Marco Luigetti, Emanuele Pravatà, Cesare Colosimo, Mario Sabatelli, Marcella Masciullo, Fioravante Capone, Mauro Lo Monaco, Mauro Monforte, Gabriella Silvestri, Enzo Ricci, Enzo Pacciani, Vincenzo Di Lazzaro

Author information

Marco Luigetti
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Emanuele Pravatà
Institute of Radiology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Cesare Colosimo
Institute of Radiology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Mario Sabatelli
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Marcella Masciullo
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Fioravante Capone
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Mauro Lo Monaco
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Mauro Monforte
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Gabriella Silvestri
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Enzo Ricci
Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy
Enzo Pacciani
Radiology Unit, Bambin Gesù Pediatric Hospital, Italy
Vincenzo Di Lazzaro
Department of Neuroscience, Campus Biomedico University of Rome, Italy

Keywords: idiopathic brachial plexopathy, neuralgic amyotrophy, nerve conduction studies, neurophysiology, MRI neurography

JOURNAL OPEN ACCESS
Supplementary material

2013 Volume 52 Issue 18 Pages 2031-2039

DOI https://doi.org/10.2169/internalmedicine.52.0533

Details

Abstract

Objective Idiopathic brachial plexopathy is a non-progressive disorder characterized by the sudden onset of shoulder pain associated with weakness and sometimes paraesthesia of the arm. Clinical and electrophysiological examinations are the primary diagnostic tools and allow physicians to localize the site of damage. MRI neurography is rarely performed in this setting.
Methods We herein describe the cases of eight consecutive patients suffering from idiopathic brachial plexopathy. All patients underwent clinical visits, neurophysiological evaluations and MRI neurography.
Results We confirmed the primary role of clinical and neurophysiological evaluations in the diagnosis of idiopathic brachial plexopathy and demonstrate the usefulness of brachial plexus MRI neurography for confirming the presence of inflammatory changes.
Conclusion In patients with idiopathic brachial plexopathy, MR neurography is a helpful tool for excluding different aetiologies, such as compression or tumour formation, and/or confirming inflammatory changes.

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