title: Adult brachial plexus injuries: mechanism, patterns of injury, and physical diagnosis.
abstract: Most brachial plexus injuries involve the entire plexus. An injury to major cords or branches often contains a mixed injury pattern, with portions of the nerve being avulsed, ruptured, or stretched. An advancing Tinel's sign implies the possibility of neurologic recovery; however, the surgeon should combine this physical finding with that of electrodiagnostic studies to assess the extent of nerve injury to allow for expedient surgical intervention when necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hand Surgery, Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. moran.steven@mayo.edu
authors.forename: Steven L
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Moran
authors.forename: Scott P
authors.initials: SP
authors.lastname: Steinmann
authors.forename: Alexander Y
authors.initials: AY
authors.lastname: Shin
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000473:pathology; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D010808:Physical Examination; D011859:Radiography