Musculocutaneous nerve palsy following traumatic spinal cord injury.
METHODS
Case report of isolated musculocutaneous nerve lesion after an acute thoracic spinal cord injury. To our knowledge, this is the only reported case of isolated musculocutaneous nerve palsy associated with an acute spinal cord injury.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the possible mechanisms of this isolated lesion. Also, to confirm the clinical diagnosis with a properly planned electrodiagnostic study. The differential diagnosis is considered.


METHODS
A comprehensive literature search was completed. Musculocutaneous lesions can be the result of heavy physical activity, shoulder subluxation, operative shoulder procedures, and intraoperative arm positioning. Isolated sensory lesions may be caused by carrying a heavy purse or phlebotomy.


CONCLUSIONS
Intraoperative, position, traction injury and premorbid physical activity may be implicated in this patients nerve palsy.
Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Boston University School of Medicine, Boston Medical Center, Massachusetts, USA.
K M
KM
Abbott
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Nesathurai
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000328:Adult; D001132:Arm / Q000503:physiopathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004594:Electrophysiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009138:Musculocutaneous Nerve / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology; D010264:Paraplegia; D013117:Spinal Cord Compression / Q000601:surgery; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000150:complications* / Q000601:surgery; D016103:Spinal Fractures / Q000150:complications; D013123:Spinal Fusion