title: Three-tesla magnetic resonance neurography of the brachial plexus in cervical radiculopathy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  There have been no reports of the use of 3-Tesla magnetic resonance neurography (3T MRN) to characterize cervical radiculopathy. In particular, there are no reports of MRN of brachial plexus involvement in patients with cervical radiculopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  We reviewed retrospectively 12 consecutive patients with cervical radiculopathy who underwent 3T MRN.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 54.5 years. Eleven of 12 patients were men. The distribution of nerve-root signal abnormality was correlated with intervertebral foraminal stenosis and the presence of muscles that exhibited weakness and/or signs of denervation on electromyography. MRN abnormalities were found to extend into the distal part of the brachial plexus in 10 patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that MRN is potentially useful for diagnosis in patients with suspected cervical radiculopathy. Moreover, the finding of brachial plexus involvement on MRN may indicate a possible pathophysiological relationship between cervical radiculopathy and brachial plexopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Okinawa National Hospital, Ganeko 3-20-14, Ginowan city, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yoshida
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, Minei Daiichi Hospital, Urasoe city, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Takeshi
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Sueyoshi
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Okinawa National Hospital, Ganeko 3-20-14, Ginowan city, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Shugo
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Suwazono
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization, Okinawa National Hospital, Ganeko 3-20-14, Ginowan city, Okinawa, Japan.
authors.forename: Masahito
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Suehara
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000473:pathology*; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000175:diagnosis*; D002574:Cervical Vertebrae; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011843:Radiculopathy / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies
keywords: brachial plexopathy; cervical disk herniation; cervical radiculopathy; magnetic resonance neurography; neuralgic amyotrophy