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Brachial plexus injury

Case contributed by Ahmed Abdrabou
Diagnosis certain

Presentation

Car accident 3 days ago followed by weakness and parathesia of the distal right upper limb.

Patient Data

Age: 25 years old
Gender: Male
mri

There is avulsion of right C7 nerve root with meningocele formation and edema of the right scalene muscle displaying bright T2 signal intensity. A right bony cervical rib is also detected.

Case Discussion

Avulsion of brachial plexus root sleeves or nerve roots occurs following severe traction on upper limb either due to trauma or birth injuries. Clinical picture varies according to the affected segment, its muscular and dermatomal supply. Meningocele can develop following dural tear. Muscle edema occurs in acute stage following denervation of its nerve supply followed by muscle atrophy and fatty degeneration in chronic stage.

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