title: The current role of diagnostic imaging in the preoperative workup for refractory neonatal brachial plexus palsy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Despite recent improvements in perinatal care, the incidence of neonatal brachial plexus palsy (NBPP) remains relatively common. CT myelography is currently considered to be the optimal imaging modality for evaluating nerve root integrity. Recent improvements in MRI techniques have made it an attractive alternative to evaluate nerve root avulsions (preganglionic injuries).
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We demonstrate the utility of MRI for the evaluation of normal and avulsed spinal nerve roots. We also show the utility of ultrasound in providing useful preoperative evaluation of the postganglionic brachial plexus in patients with NBPP.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Room B1-132A TC, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Deepak K
authors.initials: DK
authors.lastname: Somashekar
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Wilson
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Room B1-132A TC, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: DiPietro
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Jacob R
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Joseph
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Room B1-132A TC, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Mohannad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ibrahim
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurosurgery, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA.
authors.forename: Lynda J-S
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Yang
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, University of Michigan, 1500 E. Medical Center Dr., Room B1-132A TC, Ann Arbor, MI, 48109-5302, USA. hparmar@med.umich.edu.
authors.forename: Hemant A
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Parmar
mesh_terms: D001917:Brachial Plexus / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery; D020516:Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D015898:Tomography Scanners, X-Ray Computed
keywords: Magnetic resonance imaging; Neonatal brachial plexus palsy; Nerve root avulsion; Ultrasound