title: Imaging of the non-traumatic brachial plexus.
abstract: The first line imaging of the non-traumatic brachial plexus is by MRI. Knowledge of the anatomy and commonest variants is essential. Three Tesla imaging offers the possibility of 3D isotropic sequences with excellent spatial and contrast enhancement resolutions, which leads to time saving and quality boosting. The most commonly seen conditions are benign tumor lesions and radiation damage. Gadolinium is required to assess inflammatory or tumour plexopathy. MRI data should be correlated with FDG-PET if tumor recurrence is suspected.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiodiagnostics and Interventional Radiology, Vaudois University Hospital, rue du Bugnon 41, 1011 Lausanne, Switzerland. Electronic address: xavierboulanger1979@hotmail.be.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Boulanger
authors.forename: J-B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Ledoux
authors.forename: A-L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Brun
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Beigelman
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000293:injuries / Q000473:pathology* / Q000528:radiation effects; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18; D006801:Humans; D007089:Image Enhancement / Q000379:methods*; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / Q000379:methods*; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional / Q000379:methods*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009408:Nerve Compression Syndromes / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009442:Neurilemmoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009455:Neurofibroma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D009460:Neurologic Examination; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D049268:Positron-Emission Tomography / Q000379:methods*; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology; D012016:Reference Values; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013577:Syndrome; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology
chemical_list: D019788:Fluorodeoxyglucose F18
keywords: Brachial plexus; MRI; Plexopathy