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PubMed2006

Method for surgical access to the brachial plexus.

Problem of brachial plexus injuries is deemed one of the most topical in contemporary surgery. Irrespective of the newest achievements in medical science and technique, outcomes of treatment of brachial plexus injuries are yet incapable to be estimated as satisfactory. Quality of technical performance in many respects depends on convenience of access to the structures to be operated. The deficiency of the offered methods is that they are incapable to ensure sufficiently wide access to indicated structures, thus making operation more complicated and long and depressing functional and esthetical outcomes of the surgical treatment. The method, offered by us, is deemed to be solution of the above-mentioned problems. The core of the method is making of additional incision along lateral side of the horizontal wound, cutting out collarbone segment along the sides of wound and peeling up the formed rectangular clout, ensuring the wide access to the appropriate structures. We have examined and operated 59 patients with pathologies of brachial plexus and nearby structures. In 22 cases, where we applied the methodology offered by us, the above-mentioned complications did not arise: wide access facilitated technical aspect of the operation, reducing the duration of corresponding operation by in average 13-20%. Healing of wounds in both cases -- singularity-free. Controlling X-ray have shown successful coalescence of cut-off segments of collarbone without any deformation along axis. Method for ensuring access to brachial plexus, offered by us, provides more extensive and easier mobilization of plexus elements and nearby structures, facilitates technical side of the operation, shortens duration of surgical operation, and, finally, improves outcomes of treatment.

Adolescent↗
PubMed2004

Intrauterine shoulder weakness and obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

Obstetrical brachial plexus injury occurs when the forces preventing the stretch of the brachial plexus are overcome by the forces stretching it. This report describes an 8-day-old male delivered by uncomplicated cesarean section with right obstetrical brachial plexus palsy and congenital arm atrophy. The patient had a history of decreased right arm movement detected by fetal ultrasound at 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. The purpose of this article is to report that stretching of brachial plexus at birth sufficient to produce a plexus injury may occur in a patient with a vulnerable plexus even in the absence of traction during delivery.

Birth Injuries↗
PubMedDate not supplied

[Brachial plexus tumors].

The brachial plexus is a primary site of tumours originating from peripheral nervous system, such as neurilemmoma and neurofibroma. Moreover, the brachial plexus is affected by various neoplasms spreading from the neighbouring anatomic structures. Surgical treatment of neoplasms provoking plexopathy is often realised by multidisciplinary teams. The authors present the series of 7 patients operated on for brachial plexus affection between 1993-2000, the pathologic findings were as follows: neurofibroma, neurilemmoma, lymphogranulomatosis, neurofibrosarcoma, lipoma, chordoma, sarcoma neurogenes. The analysis of clinical course includes: main symptoms, diagnostic procedures and results of treatment. Surgical technique is also described.

Adult↗
PubMed1998

Treatment of brachial plexus injury.

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.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2004

[Modified grant method protocol for dissecting and identifying the brachial plexus].

Dissection of the brachial plexus is an important part in the anatomical course, but it is difficult for medical students to identify individual nerves of the brachial plexus due to its complexity and numerous variations. We have recently adopted the Grant method (1991) to guide students in the successful identification of this plexus. However, according to the Grant method the part of the upper limb including the brachial plexus is dissected before the neck part, which makes it impossible to identify the roots, trunks, and cords of the brachial plexus, and to identify the nerve branches extending from the brachial plexus. Here, we propose of anatomical dissection protocol of the brachial plexus a modified Grant method for medical students and instructors. The points of the modified protocols are: (1) to dissect the brachial plexus after the dissection of the neck part, (2) to identify the nerve trunks at the scalenus gap after dissecting the lateral, medial and posterior cords. The modified Grant method can be adapted to any other dissecting protocol of the brachial plexus, and will allow students to cope with many variations of the brachial plexus when they occur.

Anatomy↗
PubMed1983

Functional anatomy of the brachial plexus sheaths.

The brachial plexus sheath was examined in cadavers by using a combination of anatomic dissection, histologic preparations, and x-rays made after injection of x-ray contrast media, and in surgical patients by using computed tomography (CT) dye studies. The connective tissue forming the sheath was organized more densely proximally near its origin and became loosely organized distally as it ended by joining the medial intermuscular septum of the arm. The connective tissue forming the sheath extends inward, forming septa between components of the plexus. Thus, the sheath is a multicompartmented structure, formed by the thin connective tissue sheath surrounding the plexus and by the septa which extend inward from the sheath. A fascial compartment is created for each nerve, and this compartment serves to define the anatomic limits of that nerve. These compartments have potential clinical importance and implication in the techniques for brachial plexus block. They serve functionally to limit the circumferential spread of injected solutions of local anesthetics. These studies also indicate that injected anesthetic solutions spread easily in a longitudinal manner up and down the nerve and remain compartmentalized. The data presented here provide a rational explanation for the not uncommon occurrence of a profound block of rapid onset in one nerve, yet partial or absent block in other nerves, following any of the techniques of brachial plexus anesthesia.

Aged↗
PubMed1996

The surgical treatment of brachial plexus injuries.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus injuries cause a devastating loss of function in the arm. The aim of this study was to review the results of surgical treatment of patients with brachial plexus injuries. METHODS: Forty-seven patients were reviewed. Five patients did not undergo surgery. Forty-two patients had exploration and 38 had primary surgery with neurolysis, nerve graft or neurotization or a combination. Four patients had other reconstructive surgery primarily. Secondary reconstructive surgery consisted of joint fusions and tendon transfers to enhance or replace the primary surgery. RESULTS: Nerve grafting achieved 62% Medical Research Council (MRC) grade M3 or better. Intercostal neurotization (ICN) of the musculocutaneous nerve (MCN) for elbow flexion achieved M3 or better in 69% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Primary nerve reconstruction, combined with joint fusions and tendon transfers, provides a worthwhile return of function to many patients. We advise early exploration (i.e. within 2 weeks when possible) for patients with complete C5-T1 lesions or C5,6,7 lesions in conjunction with high energy injuries. In order to obtain optimal results patients with brachial plexus injuries should be referred to appropriate units as early as possible.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1991

Brachial plexus birth injury.

Brachial plexus birth injuries occur at a frequency of 1-2 per 1000 births. Many of these injuries spontaneously resolve. Should spontaneous recovery not occur within the first 4-6 months of life, the prognosis for attaining movement and function of the affected appendage is significantly impaired. The child demonstrates a lifelong disfiguring and functional handicap. With advances in technology, diagnosis and microsurgical techniques, surgical exploration of the brachial plexus has been revived. A multidisciplinary approach has provided dynamic results. At present only one institution in the United States utilizes this innovative protocol. This article addresses the collaborative perioperative nursing implications for a child with brachial plexus birth injury.

Birth Injuries↗
PubMed1991

The brachial plexus. Clinical anatomy.

Brachial plexus injuries present in certain consistent patterns. Learning the overall brachial plexus anatomy--with an emphasis on the common sites of injury--can facilitate localization, which is essential for diagnosis and formulation of an appropriate treatment plan.

Adult↗
PubMed1993

The absence of brachial plexus injury in stroke.

Brachial plexus injury and proximal mononeuropathy have been reported as a potential complications in the hemiplegic shoulder after a stroke. The diagnosis of brachial plexus injury and proximal mononeuropathy in the hemiplegic extremity is complicated by the upper motor neuron findings on physical examination and by the diffusely abnormal electrodiagnostic test results frequently seen in hemiplegic limbs. This study investigated the incidence of brachial plexus injury and proximal mononeuropathy after a thromboembolic stroke. Hemiplegic patients (n = 50) underwent physical examination, needle electromyography of the hemiplegic extremities and nerve conduction studies across the brachial plexus within 4 months after a stroke. Combining the physical examination and electromyographic findings we were unable to make a diagnosis of brachial plexus injury or proximal mononeuropathy in any hemiplegic patient. Spontaneous electromyographic activity was observed in 68% of the arms and 70% of the legs examined on the hemiplegic side. The severity and incidence of spontaneous activity was evenly distributed in upper and lower trunk muscles. Mean central latencies across the lower brachial plexus were slightly delayed (12.5 +/- 2 v 11.6 +/- 2.2 ms, P < 0.01) compared with the contralateral normal limb, but in no case was the F wave unilaterally unelicitable. The mean hypothenar compound muscle action potential amplitude was diminished (7 +/- 2.7 v 9.2 +/- 4.1 mV, P < 0.01) in the hemiplegic hand compared with the normal side and the degree of amplitude loss inversely corresponded (r = -0.6, P < 0.01) to the amount of spontaneous electromyographic activity observed in the first dorsal interosseus muscle.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Action Potentials↗
PubMed2000

Perinatal brachial plexus palsy.

Perinatal brachial plexus palsy (PBPP) has been traditionally classified into three types: upper plexus palsy (Erb's) affecting the C5, C6, and +/- C7 nerve roots, lower plexus palsy (Klumpke's) affecting the C8 and T1 nerve roots, and total plexus palsy. Although most cases will resolve spontaneously, the natural history of the remaining cases is influenced by contractures of uninvolved muscle groups and subluxation or dislocation of the shoulder and elbow. Microsurgical nerve repair has demonstrated to provide improved outcomes compared to conservative treatment, while advancements in secondary reconstruction have offered significant improvements in the performance of activities of daily living for older children with unresolved plexus palsy.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2002

[Anatomical variations of the brachial plexus].

Important variations exist in the brachial plexus (Kaufmann, Cunningham, Kerr, Lee). Perivascular techniques of brachial plexus block used sometimes use important quantities of anaesthesia product. It seems that certain surgical treatment failures of brachial plexus lesions are related to the brachial plexus variations (Bonnel). Our aim is to study the brachial plexus variations and its relations from the cervical region to brachial region. We dissected twenty-three brachial plexus (13 women and 10 men, fresh or injected by formalin). We studied the brachial plexus anatomic variations and its relations. We found the anatomic variations at the level of different parts of brachial plexus: Trunk: 8 cases (34.8%); Terminal branch: 8 cases (34.8%); brachial plexus tract: 1 case (4.3%); collateral branch: 1 case (4.3%); in 5 cases we didn't find any abnormalities. Some studies show the frequency of 4th cervical root (C4) participation in brachial plexus. Kerr found 65.9%. It was 30.4% of C4 participation in brachial plexus in our series. Among the 8 cases of terminal branch variations in our series, two (8.7%) musculocutaneous was low source. The brachial plexus variations could fail the brachial plexus loco-regional anaesthesia. In the surgical treatment of brachial plexus lesions, the surgeon must know brachial plexus anatomical variations perfectly.

Anesthesia, Conduction↗
PubMed1989

Usefulness of myelography in brachial plexus injuries.

Ninety brachial plexus lesions have been examined by myelography and the results classified into six types. These were compared against the level of lesion found at exploration of the brachial plexus with electrophysiological investigations carried out during the operation. The results show that myelography can be a reliable and useful pre-exploratory measure to assess the level of the lesion of each injured root.

Adult↗
PubMed1994

The natural history of obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

Obstetrical brachial plexus palsy remains an unfortunate consequence of difficult childbirth. Sixty-six such patients were reviewed. Included were 28 patients (42 percent) with upper plexus involvement and 38 (58 percent) with total plexopathy. The natural history of spontaneous recovery in all of these patients has been determined using an appropriate grading mechanism. Sixty-one patients (92 percent) recovered spontaneously and five patients (8 percent) required primary brachial plexus exploration and reconstruction (median age 12 months), demonstrating that most patients do well. Additional analysis was undertaken to examine ways in which outcome might be predicted. The analysis does not consider whether or not the patient was operated upon. Good or poor recovery was determined by the spontaneous recovery observed. Discriminant analysis revealed that whereas elbow flexion at 3 months correlated well with spontaneous recovery at 12 months, when used as a single parameter it incorrectly predicted recovery in 12.8 percent of cases. Shoulder abduction was not a significant predictor of recovery. Numerous other early parameters correlated well with spontaneous recovery. When elbow flexion and elbow, wrist, thumb, and finger extension at 3 months were combined into a test score, the proportion of patients whose recovery was incorrectly predicted was reduced to 5.2 percent.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2004

Surgical management of brachial plexus region tumors.

BACKGROUND: Brachial plexus region tumors are uncommon and often present a challenge to neurosurgeons. METHODS: Provide a brief historical overview, a description of the anatomy, and contribute information that provides management guidelines and improves surgical outcomes for tumors of the brachial plexus region. We also review different surgical approaches followed by surgical outcome from recent studies, as well as our own experience of treating 42 patients with tumors of the brachial plexus region at the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center between 1990 and 2001. RESULTS: A thorough understanding of the anatomy, the clinical presentation, imaging techniques, and the various surgical approaches for brachial plexus tumor resection is necessary to ensure the best possible treatment outcome. CONCLUSION: We conclude that with proper patient selection and appropriate perioperative and intraoperative management, neurologic deficits from brachial plexus tumor surgery can be minimized.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed2004

Brachial plexus anatomy.

The brachial plexus may be visualized simply as beginning with five nerves and terminating in five nerves. It begins with the anterior rami of C5, C6, C7, C8, and the first thoracic nerve. It terminates with the formation of the musculocutaneous, median, ulnar, axillary, and radial nerves. The intermediate portions are displayed in sets of threes: three trunks are formed, followed by three divisions, then three cords. Each trunk gives rise to two divisions and each cord gives rise to two branches. The lateral cord divides into the musculocutaneous nerve and the lateral branch of the median nerve. The medial cord divides into the medial branch of the median nerve and the ulnar nerve. The posterior cord divides into the axillary and the radial nerves. The anatomy of the brachial plexus can be confusing, especially because of frequent variations in length and caliber of each of its components.

Brachial Plexus↗
PubMed1998

Selective restoration of sensation by peripheral nerve grafts directly implanted into the contralateral C7 dorsal root ganglion: an experimental study in rat brachial plexus.

OBJECTIVE: In brachial plexus injuries, when the dorsal root ganglion (DRG) is avulsed from the spinal cord there is no possibility of direct repair. Therefore, in the present report the median nerve was connected directly to the contralateral C7 DRG, to restore forepaw sensation. METHODS: The ulnar nerve was sectioned, and a 15-mm segment of nerve was removed. The median nerve was sectioned, transposed dorsally, and repaired using a sural nerve graft directly implanted into the C7 contralateral DRG. Rats were then assessed 6 and 12 months later by behavioral, histological, and plasma extravasion techniques. RESULTS: All animals recovered sensation in the forepaw. Retrogradely labeled sensory neurons were demonstrated in the C7 DRG, and the whole forepaw was labeled after plasma extravasion induction by median nerve antidromic stimulation. Several myelinated and positively neurofilament-stained fibers were demonstrated in the grafted median nerve. CONCLUSION: The surgical strategy proposed might be a useful alternative to selective sensory repair in the emerging field of brachial plexus reconstruction by direct spinal cord surgery.

Animals↗