title: Ultrasonography of the brachial plexus, normal appearance and practical applications.
abstract: Ultrasound examination of the brachial plexus, although at first sight difficult, is perfectly feasible with fairly rapid practical and theoretical training. The roots are accurately identified due to the shape (a single tubercle) of the transverse process of C7 in the paravertebral space, and the superficial position of C5 in the interscalene groove. The téléphérique technique allows the roots, trunks and cords to be followed easily into the supraclavicular fossa. In just a few years, ultrasound imaging of the plexus has become a routine anesthesia examination for guiding nerve blocks. In trained hands, it also provides information in thoracic outlet syndromes, traumatic conditions (particularly for postganglionic lesions) and tumoral diseases. Even if MRI remains the standard examination in these indications, ultrasound, with its higher definition and dynamic character, is an excellent additional method which is still under-exploited.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France; Polyclinique Le Languedoc, avenue de la Côte-des-Roses, 11100 Narbonne, France. Electronic address: franck.lapegue@gmail.com.
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Lapegue
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Faruch-Bilfeld
authors.affiliation: Department of Osteo-Articular Radiology, Hôpital Roger-Salengro, rue Emile-Laine, 59037 Lille, France.
authors.forename: X
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Demondion
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Apredoaei
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Bayol
authors.affiliation: Polyclinique Le Languedoc, avenue de la Côte-des-Roses, 11100 Narbonne, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Artico
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Chiavassa-Gandois
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: J-J
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Railhac
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, CHU de Toulouse-Purpan, bâtiment Putois, place du Dr-Baylac, TSA 40031, 31059 Toulouse cedex 9, France.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Sans
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000293:injuries; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007090:Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted; D021621:Imaging, Three-Dimensional; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D010524:Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D012016:Reference Values; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed; D018608:Ultrasonography, Doppler; D018084:Ultrasonography, Interventional; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Brachial plexus; Thoracic outlet syndrome; Trauma; Tumor invasion; Ultrasound anatomy