Usefulness of a comprehensive neurophysiological assessment for early diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brachial plexus injuries.
OBJECTIVE
To illustrate how a thorough neurophysiological evaluation allows early diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brachial plexus injuries.


METHODS
As examples, we report on the case of two patients with acute traumatic brachial plexus injuries for whom a comprehensive neurophysiological evaluation allowed early diagnosis and prognosis.


RESULTS
Neurophysiological findings were consistent with complete proximal (root) lesion in one patient and a severe neuroapraxic block between Erb point and axilla in the other one.


CONCLUSIONS
The two reported acute cases of traumatic brachial plexus injuries demonstrated the high diagnostic and prognostic value of the neurophysiological tests when fully utilized.
Insola
A
A
Neurophysiopathology Service, CTO-Rome.
Caliandro
P
P
Pirrone
R
R
Aprile
I
I
Pazzagli
C
C
Padua
L
L
D000063:Accidents, Traffic; D000293:Adolescent; D000368:Aged; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D042241:Early Diagnosis; D004568:Electrodiagnosis; D004576:Electromyography; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D011379:Prognosis; D011826:Radial Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology