title: Clinical findings in C5-C6 and C5-C7 root palsies with brachial plexus traction lesions.
abstract: Stretch injuries of the C5-C7 roots of the brachial plexus traditionally have been associated with palsies of shoulder abduction/external rotation, elbow flexion/extension, and wrist, thumb, and finger extension. Based on current myotome maps we hypothesized that, as far as motion is concerned, palsies involving C5-C6 and C5-C7 root injuries should be similar. In 38 patients with upper-type palsies of the brachial plexus, we examined for correlations between clinical findings and root injury level, as documented by CT tomomyeloscan. Contrary to commonly held beliefs, C5-C7 root injuries were not associated with loss of extension of the elbow, wrist, thumb, or fingers, but residual hand strength was much lower with C5-C7 vs C5-C6 lesions.
authors.affiliation: Center of Biological and Health Sciences, Department of Neurosurgery, University of the South of Santa Catarina (Unisul), Tubarão, SC, Brazil. drbertelli@gmail.com
authors.forename: J A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Bertelli
authors.forename: M F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Ghizoni
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D001132:Arm / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000294:innervation* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation; D010243:Paralysis / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000293:injuries* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000601:surgery*; D036542:Tomography, Spiral Computed