Parsonage-Turner Syndrome (PTS), also referred to as idiopathic brachial plexopathy or neuralgic amyotrophy, is a rare disorder consisting of a complex constellation of symptoms with abrupt onset of shoulder pain, usually unilaterally, followed by progressive neurologic deficits of motor weakness, dysesthesias, and numbness. Although the etiology of the syndrome is unclear, it is reported in various clinical situations, including postoperatively, postinfectious, posttraumatic, and postvaccination. The identification of the syndrome in the postoperative patient remains a challenge as symptoms may easily be attributed to sequelae of surgical positioning, postoperative recovery, or postanesthetic block pain. The purpose of this review is to bring forth salient, identifiable factors which may assist the surgical clinician in identifying the condition sooner. An early and proper diagnosis affords the opportunity to treat the patient accordingly and to the satisfaction of both surgeon and patient.

This study provides some reasoning to support the screening of hip strength during the preparticipation physical, as it may be important in the prevention of LE injury and LBP in collegiate athletes.

The impact of core strengthening on collegiate athletes has not been previously examined. These results indicated no significant advantage of core strengthening in reducing LBP occurrence, though this may be more a reflection of the small numbers of subjects who actually required treatment. The core program, however, seems to have had a role in modifying hip extensor strength balance. The association between hip strength and future LBP occurrence, observed only in females, may indicate the need for more gender-specific core programs. The need for a larger scale study to examine the impact of core strengthening in collegiate athletes is demonstrated.

These data support our results from our previous cohort study, adding validity to the concept of hip muscle imbalance being associated with LBP occurrence in female athletes. This research further supports the need for the assessment and treatment of hip muscle imbalance in individuals with LBP.

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In PTS, a bullseye sign on MRI can accurately localize HGCs, a previously unreported finding. Causes of HGCs and the bullseye sign are unknown. Muscle Nerve 56: 99-106, 2017.

MRI findings, corroborated by electrodiagnostic testing, localized abnormalities to plexus branches and peripheral nerves, suggesting that PTS is characterized by 1 or more mononeuropathies rather than changes involving a portion of or the complete plexus proper. These results may improve diagnosis, prognostication, and management. Muscle Nerve 58: 359-366, 2018.

Introduction In this study we tested the hypothesis that fascicular constrictions (FCs) of the median nerve proximal to the elbow joint characterize anterior interosseous nerve syndrome (AINS). Methods Magnetic resonance neurography (MRN) and ultrasound (US) examinations were evaluated in 45 patients with clinically suspected AINS. All 22 patients at site 1 underwent MRN and 8 underwent US; all 23 patients at site 2 underwent US. Results Median nerve FCs were identified in all MRN cases; FCs and/or fascicular enlargements were identified in 88% of US cases. Most FCs were in the mediannerve posterior/posteromedial region and were proximal to the elbow joint line (mean distance: MRN, 5.4 cm; US, 7.5 cm), with the exception of a single FC (located 1 cm distal). No extrinsic compression of median or anterior interosseous nerves was identified in the arm or forearm. Discussion AINS is a noncompressive neuropathy characterized by median nerve FCs in the arm.