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Brachial plexus cord compression injury

Case contributed by Shu Su
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

34yo female fall from horse. Left clavicle fracture.

Patient Data

Age: 34
Gender: Female

There is a mid shaft left clavicular fracture.  Mild posterior displacement with a lateral fracture fragment  noted indenting the lateral cord and to a lesser extent the posterior cord of the brachial plexus.  There is no interruption of the nerve fascicles evident.

Case Discussion

Trauma results in stretching, bruising or tearing of brachial plexus components, post-traumatic meningocoeles, nerve retraction balls, and perineural fibrosis. Direct compression by of the brachial plexus may be caused by hematomas, pseudoaneurysm (especially of subclavian vessels), fracture fragments and calluses 1,2.

Case courtesy of A/Prof Pramit Phal.

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