title: Isolated compression of the pectoral nerve resulting in atrophy of the major pectoral muscle.
abstract: We report on two cases of isolated damage to a muscle branch of the lateral pectoral nerve. Diagnosis was established by the clinical presentation and electromyographic examination. In the few reported cases of such injuries, the cause was trauma to this region. However, in both of our patients, focal muscle atrophy gradually developed after initiation of training schedules to increase the cross-section of the major pectoral muscle; we therefore assume that compression injury to the nerve by repetitive muscle contractions may be of pathogenic relevance. Anatomical studies of this region showed that the nerve branches of the lateral pectoral nerve, having to pierce through a connective tissue septum that is thicker here by a few millimeters, may be subjected to additional risk of compression. Early recognition and treatment are vital to prevent associated morbidity of these rare but serious injuries.
authors.affiliation: Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Innsbruck University Hospital and Ludwig-Boltzmann-Institute for Quality Control in Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Anichstrasse 35, A-6020 Innsbruck, Austria. alexander.gardetto@uibk.ac.at
authors.forename: Alexander
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gardetto
authors.forename: Claudia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Thaler
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kiechl
authors.forename: Herbert
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Maurer
authors.forename: Hildegunde
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Piza-Katzer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001284:Atrophy; D002102:Cadaver; D019299:Decompression, Surgical; D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D013900:Thoracic Nerves / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery