title: Magnetic stimulation of the radial nerve in dogs and cats with brachial plexus trauma: a report of 53 cases.
abstract: Brachial plexus trauma is a common clinical entity in small animal practice and prognostic indicators are essential early in the course of the disease. Magnetic stimulation of the radial nerve and consequent recording of the magnetic motor evoked potential (MMEP) was examined in 36 dogs and 17 cats with unilateral brachial plexus trauma. Absence of deep pain perception (DPP), ipsilateral loss of panniculus reflex, partial Horner's syndrome and a poor response to MMEP were related to the clinical outcome in 29 of the dogs and 13 of the cats. For all animals, a significant difference was found in MMEP between the normal and the affected limb. Absence of DPP and unilateral loss of the panniculus reflex were indicative of an unsuccessful outcome in dogs. Additionally, the inability to evoke a MMEP was associated with an unsuccessful outcome in all animals. It was concluded that magnetic stimulation of the radial nerve in dogs and cats with brachial plexus trauma may provide an additional diagnostic and prognostic tool.
authors.affiliation: Department of Small Animal Medicine and Clinical Biology, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Ghent University, Salisburylaan 133, B-9820 Merelbeke, Belgium. Iris.VanSoens@UGent.be
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Van Soens
authors.forename: Michel M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Struys
authors.forename: Ingeborgh E
authors.initials: IE
authors.lastname: Polis
authors.forename: Sofie F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Bhatti
authors.forename: Sofie A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Van Meervenne
authors.forename: Valentine A
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Martlé
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Nollet
authors.forename: Mulenda
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tshamala
authors.forename: An E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Vanhaesebrouck
authors.forename: Luc M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Van Ham
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D002371:Cat Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D002415:Cats; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D004283:Dog Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000628:therapy; D004285:Dogs; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D055909:Magnetic Field Therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D008297:Male; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011379:Prognosis; D011826:Radial Nerve; D020425:Radial Neuropathy / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000628:therapy / Q000662:veterinary*; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome