title: Bilateral brachial plexus injury.
abstract: Brachial plexus injuries can occur as a result of various mechanisms such as stretching, direct and indirect trauma or following childbirth. Bilateral brachial plexus injuries are uncommon and associated with a poor functional outcome. We report a case of bilateral brachial plexus injury resulting from prolonged immobilization of the arms in hyper-abducted position resulting in compression of the brachial plexus on both sides. The injuries were treated conservatively and following 4 months of active rehabilitation in our unit, the patient still had poor arm functions and required care and support in the community on discharge.
authors.affiliation: Department of Rehabilitation Medicine and Physically Disabled Rehabilitation Unit, Southern General Hospital, Glasgow, UK. fanwar@nhs.net
authors.forename: Fahim
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Anwar
authors.forename: Danny
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: McLaughlin
authors.forename: Bhupinder S
authors.initials: BS
authors.lastname: Panesar
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000534:rehabilitation; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000150:complications; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018476:Hypokinesia / Q000150:complications* / Q000175:diagnosis; D007103:Immobilization / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D011187:Posture; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed