Brachial Plexus Injury

Abstract

The brachial plexus is a series of nerves formed by roots of cervical segments 5 to 8 (C5-C8) as well as the first thoracic nerve (T1). It functions to provide sensation and motor innervation to the skin and muscles of the chest and upper limb. It does so through different segments: roots, trunks, divisions, and cords. Injuries to the brachial plexus occur relatively frequently and are due mainly to traumatic accidents that lead to traction or compression of the nerve roots. When considering the etiology and treatment of such injuries, it is important to make a distinction between adult versus obstetric brachial plexus injury. Although several surgical treatment options are described and used for patients with brachial plexus injury, no perfect remedy currently exists. Prevention and safety should be the focus. At the same time, high-quality studies and new technology and techniques are needed to determine more effective treatments for this group.

Brachial Plexus Injuries in Sport Medicine: Clinical Evaluation, Diagnostic Approaches, Treatment Options, and Rehabilitative Interventions

“…Moreover, a reporting bias should be considered in the epidemiology of BPIs related to sport activities. Indeed, almost all studies reported the incidence and prevalence of traumatic BPIs that required surgical treatment [54]. Several lesions of brachial plexus showed a less dramatic involvement of nerve structures, with neuroapraxia and partial axonotmesis.…”

“…The timing of surgical treatment has been extensively discussed in scientific literature [36,54]. Some BPIs (i.e., gunshots injuries) are associated to vascular injuries or open lesions (i.e., cut lesions) and require acute surgical treatment [90].…”

Parálisis Obstétrica del plexo braquial

“…En los últimos años ha disminuido debido al entendimiento de la enfermedad y el cuidado durante el trabajo de parto. 1,3,5,6 El principal factor de riesgo para esta alteración es la distocia de hombros, que puede provocar tracción del plexo braquial. Otros factores asociados son: utilización de fórceps, macrosomía, tiempo de parto prolongado, presentación pélvica, desproporción cefalopélvica, multiparidad y diabetes gestacional.…”

“…Otros factores asociados son: utilización de fórceps, macrosomía, tiempo de parto prolongado, presentación pélvica, desproporción cefalopélvica, multiparidad y diabetes gestacional. [1][2][3]6,7 Aunque en la bibliografía se indica que 90% de los casos se cura de forma espontánea (3 meses a 2 años), se estima que entre 20-30% de los niños afectados permanecen con déficit residual. 1,[3][4][5]…”

Management of Brachial Plexus Missile Injuries

“…Many of the contemporary series are evaluating functional recovery of patients operated for BPI, regardless of the cause of the injury, mainly due to rarity of these injuries ( 20 - 22 ). Missile injuries of the brachial plexus occur almost inextricably with war, while also carrying along specific associated injuries, and difficulties in diagnosing the injury and estimating the extension and level of severity.…”