title: MRI neurography findings in patients with idiopathic brachial plexopathy: correlations with clinical-neurophysiological data in eight consecutive cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Idiopathic brachial plexopathy is a non-progressive disorder characterized by the sudden onset of shoulder pain associated with weakness and sometimes paraesthesia of the arm. Clinical and electrophysiological examinations are the primary diagnostic tools and allow physicians to localize the site of damage. MRI neurography is rarely performed in this setting.
  
  
  METHODS
  We herein describe the cases of eight consecutive patients suffering from idiopathic brachial plexopathy. All patients underwent clinical visits, neurophysiological evaluations and MRI neurography.
  
  
  RESULTS
  We confirmed the primary role of clinical and neurophysiological evaluations in the diagnosis of idiopathic brachial plexopathy and demonstrate the usefulness of brachial plexus MRI neurography for confirming the presence of inflammatory changes.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In patients with idiopathic brachial plexopathy, MR neurography is a helpful tool for excluding different aetiologies, such as compression or tumour formation, and/or confirming inflammatory changes.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Neurology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Italy.
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Luigetti
authors.forename: Emanuele
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pravatà
authors.forename: Cesare
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Colosimo
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Sabatelli
authors.forename: Marcella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Masciullo
authors.forename: Fioravante
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Capone
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Lo Monaco
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Monforte
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Silvestri
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Enzo
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Pacciani
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Lazzaro
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D055724:Electrophysiological Phenomena; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D013256:Steroids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed
chemical_list: D013256:Steroids