Disuse osteoporosis as evidence of brachial plexus palsy due to intrauterine fetal maladaptation.
We report what may be overlooked evidence of the effects of intrauterine maladaptation as a cause of brachial plexus palsy. A case of total brachial plexus palsy in the posterior arm associated with Horner's syndrome and severe demineralization of the bones of the affected arm is analyzed. In this litigated case, a report of marked demineralization of the bones of the affected arm was analyzed by the plaintiff's radiology expert as diagnostic of disuse osteoporosis. The presence of clear-cut evidence of disuse osteoporosis during the early neonatal period is compelling evidence of an intrauterine onset of brachial plexus palsy.
Jennett
R J
RJ
Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Joseph's Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, AZ, USA.
Tarby
T J
TJ
D000328:Adult; D001720:Birth Injuries; D018488:Bone Demineralization, Pathologic / Q000209:etiology; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D005260:Female; D005315:Fetal Diseases; D006732:Horner Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007603:Jurisprudence; D008297:Male; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011247:Pregnancy