Idiopathic brachial neuritis.
Idiopathic brachial neuritis is a well defined clinical condition that most commonly affects young adults, seen usually by primary care physicians, neurologists or orthopaedic surgeons. Its onset is characterized by acute, aching shoulder pain lasting a few days to weeks, followed by progressive shoulder girdle and upper extremity weakness and atrophy, with a slow but progressive recovery of motor function over 6 to 18 months. Its early recognition can help avoid unnecessary and potentially harmful diagnostic and therapeutic interventions, and avoid delays in prescribing appropriate therapies that may be helpful only early in the course of the disease. We present a case of idiopathic brachial neuritis and discuss important aspects of the disease and difficulties in reaching the correct diagnosis.
Department of Neurology, University of Iowa College of Medicine, Iowa City 52242, USA.
Pedro
P
Gonzalez-Alegre
Ana
A
Recober
Praful
P
Kelkar
D020968:Brachial Plexus Neuritis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011379:Prognosis