Strategies for treating pain
Summary box 1 Brachial plexus injuries are followed by chronic pain in 30–90% of patients. 2 Pain following brachial plexus injuries may be due to neuromas, denervation-reinnervation, avulsion, or musculoskeletal…
Nerve repair/reconstruction strategies for neonatal brachial plexus palsies
Summary Box 1 Indications and timing for nerve repair/reconstruction in patients with neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) remain controversial. 2 We consider absent or significantly impaired hand function, in the…
Operative neurophysiology of the brachial plexus intraoperative electrodiagnostic studies
Summary box 1 Direct inspection alone in the operating room has been shown repeatedly to be unreliable in assessing the severity of peripheral nerve lesions, especially brachial plexus injuries. Therefore,…
Outcomes of treatment for neonatal brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Comparison of natural history to the outcome of surgical intervention for NBPP is limited by lesion variability, the different assessment paradigms used at different centers, and investigational…
Shoulder sequelae in children with brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Despite advances in prenatal and obstetrical care, the estimated prevalence of brachial plexus palsy (BPP) remains stable. 2 The goal in the infant is to maintain joint…
Clinical examination of the patient with brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Brachial plexus and upper extremity musculoskeletal anatomy must be thoroughly understood in order to properly examine, diagnose, and localize brachial plexus injuries. 2 The clinical examination of…
Radiographic assessment in pediatric brachial plexus palsies
Summary Box 1 Early imaging to evaluate injuries associated with neonatal brachial plexus palsies within the first week of life includes radiographs or ultrasonography. 2 At age 3 to 4…
Anatomy of the brachial plexus
Summary box 1 The brachial plexus can be organized into 5 zones: spinal nerve roots, trunks, divisions, cords and terminal branches. 2 C5-6 nerve roots form the upper trunk, C7…
The role of electrodiagnosis in infants with brachial plexus palsies
Summary Box 1 The vast majority of persistent brachial plexus lesions in infants is a combination of axonotmesis or neurotmesis in varying proportions. 2 Electrodiagnostic studies are able to determine…
Clinical presentation and considerations of neonatal brachial plexus palsy
Summary box 1 Neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) can be defined as a flaccid paresis of an upper extremity due to traumatic stretching of the brachial plexus, with the passive…
