Brachial-plexus injury after clavicular fracture: case report and literature review.
Brachial plexus injury is a rare complication of the fractured clavicle. The authors describe the second reported case of brachial plexus injury due to secondary fracture displacement. This case emphasizes the following points: the neurologic status of the arm after a fracture of the clavicle must be documented; fractures of the middle one-third of the clavicle are prone to displacement; patients should be advised to report immediately any new symptoms in the arm; when fracture displacement is the cause of brachial-plexus compression then a trial of conservative therapy is indicated; the prognosis for neurologic recovery after this injury is good.
Rumball
K M
KM
Faculty of Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa Civic Hospital, Ont.
Da Silva
V F
VF
Preston
D N
DN
Carruthers
C C
CC
D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D002968:Clavicle / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries*; D005596:Fractures, Closed / Q000150:complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011859:Radiography; D012784:Shoulder Fractures / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging