brachial plexus neuropathy

Brachial plexus neuropathy, also known as brachial neuritis or Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is a condition that affects the nerves of the brachial plexus. The brachial plexus is a group of nerves that runs from the lower neck through the upper shoulder area and provides sensation and motor control to the arm and hand.

Symptoms:

• Sudden unilateral or bilateral pain in the shoulder girdle
• Muscle weakness and numbness in the arm and hand
• Decreased movement and feeling in the arm and shoulder

Causes:

• Trauma to the neck, such as a motor vehicle accident
• Exposure to toxins
• Inflammatory conditions
• Immune system issues
• Birth defects

Types of Brachial Plexus Neuropathy:

• Idiopathic brachial neuritis (IBN), also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is a disorder of unknown etiology that affects the brachial plexus.
• Avulsion injuries occur when the nerve root pulls out of the spinal cord due to blunt trauma.

Diagnosis:

• Electrodiagnostic exams can confirm the diagnosis and locate the nerve injury
• Baseline electrodiagnostic exam three to four weeks after injury allows for detection of any nerve degeneration

References:

• [6] Brachial plexus neuropathy typically causes sudden unilateral or bilateral pain in the shoulder girdle, accompanied by muscle weakness and numbness in the arm. (Source: Al Khalili, 2024)
• [7] Brachial plexus neuropathy is defined as motor or sensory symptoms or physical signs, with or without accompanying pain in a nerve-root distribution in the arm. (Source: Unknown author, 2024)
• [8] Acute brachial plexus neuritis is an uncommon disorder characterized by severe shoulder and upper arm pain followed by marked upper arm weakness. (Source: JD Miller, 2000)

Differential Diagnoses for Brachial Plexus Neuropathy

Brachial plexus neuropathy, also known as brachial neuritis or Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is a condition that affects the nerves in the upper arm. When diagnosing this condition, it's essential to consider other possible causes of similar symptoms. Here are some differential diagnoses for brachial plexus neuropathy:

• Cervical Radiculopathy: This condition involves compression or irritation of the cervical spine nerves, which can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the arm and hand [4].
• Guillain-Barre Syndrome: A rare autoimmune disorder that can cause muscle weakness, paralysis, and respiratory failure [4].
• Multiple Sclerosis: An autoimmune disease that affects the central nervous system, causing symptoms such as numbness, weakness, and vision problems [4].
• Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy: A type of cancer that involves the brachial plexus nerves, which can cause pain, weakness, and numbness in the arm and hand [4].

These conditions can present with similar symptoms to brachial plexus neuropathy, making differential diagnosis crucial for proper treatment.

References:

• [1] Brachial neuritis is a neuromuscular syndrome involving the peripheral nerves. The condition is not well understood and is often underdiagnosed.
• [4] Sep 13, 2023 — Differential Diagnoses. Cervical Radiculopathy · Guillain-Barre Syndrome · Multiple Sclerosis · Neoplastic Brachial Plexopathy.
• [9] Apr 17, 2024 — Anterior interosseous syndrome · Acute calcific tendonitis · Pack palsy · Sarcoidosis and other granulomatous infiltrations · Spinal cord tumor.