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Brachial plexopathy
Neuropathy - brachial plexus; Brachial plexus dysfunction; Parsonage-Turner syndrome; Pancoast syndrome
Brachial plexopathy is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus. This is an area on each side of the neck where nerve roots from the spinal cord split into each arm's nerves.
Damage to these nerves results in pain, decreased movement, or decreased sensation in the arm and shoulder.
Causes
Damage to the brachial plexus is usually from direct injury to the nerve, stretching injuries (including birth trauma), pressure from tumors in the area (especially from lung tumors), or damage that results from radiation therapy .
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy uses high-powered x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds to kill cancer cells.
Brachial plexus dysfunction may also be associated with:
- Birth defects that put pressure on the neck area
- Exposure to toxins, chemicals, or drugs
- General anesthesia, used during surgery
- Inflammatory conditions, such as those due to a virus or immune system problem
In some cases, no cause can be identified.
Symptoms
Symptoms may include:
-
Numbness
of the shoulder, arm, or hand
Numbness
Numbness and tingling are abnormal sensations that can occur anywhere in your body, but they are often felt in your fingers, hands, feet, arms, or le...
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Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain
Shoulder pain is any pain in or around the shoulder joint.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Tingling, burning, pain, or abnormal sensations (location depends on the area injured)
- Weakness of the shoulder, arm, hand, or wrist
Exams and Tests
An exam of the arm, hand and wrist can reveal a problem with the nerves of the brachial plexus. Signs may include:
- Deformity of the arm or hand
- Difficulty moving the shoulder, arm, hand, or fingers
- Diminished arm reflexes
- Wasting of the muscles
- Weakness of hand flexing
A detailed history may help determine the cause of the brachial plexopathy. Age and sex are important, because some brachial plexus problems are more common in certain groups. For example, young men more often have inflammatory or post-viral brachial plexus disease called Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
Tests that may be done to diagnose this condition may include:
- Blood tests
- Chest x-ray
-
Electromyography (
EMG
) to check the muscles and nerves that control the muscles
EMG
Electromyography (EMG) is a test that checks the health of the muscles and the nerves that control the muscles.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - MRI of the head, neck, and shoulder
-
Nerve conduction
to check how fast electrical signals move through a nerve
Nerve conduction
Nerve conduction velocity (NCV) is a test to see how fast electrical signals move through a nerve.
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Nerve biopsy
to examine a piece of nerve under the microscope (rarely needed)
Nerve biopsy
A nerve biopsy is the removal of a small piece of a nerve for examination.
ImageRead Article Now Book Mark Article - Ultrasound
Treatment
Treatment is aimed at correcting the underlying cause and allowing you to use your hand and arm as much as possible. In some cases, no treatment is needed and the problem gets better on its own.
Treatment options include any of the following:
- Medicines to control pain
- Physical therapy to help maintain muscle strength.
- Braces, splints, or other devices to help you use your arm
- Nerve block, in which medicine is injected into the area near the nerves to reduce pain
- Surgery to repair the nerves or remove something pressing on the nerves
Occupational therapy or counseling to suggest changes in the workplace may be needed.
Medical conditions such as diabetes and kidney disease can damage nerves. In these cases, treatment is also directed at the underlying medical condition.
Outlook (Prognosis)
A good recovery is possible if the cause is identified and properly treated. In some cases, there is partial or complete loss of movement or sensation. Nerve pain may be severe and may last for a long time.
Possible Complications
Complications may include:
-
Deformity of the hand or arm, mild to severe, which can lead to
contractures
Contractures
A contracture develops when the normally stretchy (elastic) tissues are replaced by nonstretchy (inelastic) fiber-like tissue. This tissue makes it ...
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Partial or complete arm
paralysis
Paralysis
Muscle function loss is when a muscle does not work or move normally. The medical term for complete loss of muscle function is paralysis.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Partial or complete loss of sensation in the arm, hand, or fingers
- Recurrent or unnoticed injury to the hand or arm due to diminished sensation
When to Contact a Medical Professional
Call your health care provider if you experience pain, numbness, tingling, or weakness in the shoulder, arm, or hand.
References
Chad DA, Bowley MP. Disorders of nerve roots and plexuses. In: Daroff RB, Jankovic J, Mazziotta JC, Pomeroy SL, eds. Bradley's Neurology in Clinical Practice . 7th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2016:chap 106.
Waldman SD. Cervicothoracic interspinous bursitis. In: Waldman SD, ed. Atlas of Uncommon Pain Syndromes . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2014:chap 22.
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Central nervous system - illustration
The central nervous system is comprised of the brain and spinal cord. The peripheral nervous system includes all peripheral nerves.
Central nervous system
illustration
Review Date: 5/30/2016
Reviewed By: Amit M. Shelat, DO, FACP, Attending Neurologist and Assistant Professor of Clinical Neurology, SUNY Stony Brook, School of Medicine, Stony Brook, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
