Role of MRI in the diagnosis of adult traumatic and obstetric brachial plexus injury compared to intraoperative findings

Faculty of Medicine

Assiut University

Role of MRI in the diagnosis of adult traumatic and obstetric brachial plexus injury compared to intraoperative findings

Research Authors
Doria Mohammed Gad, Mostafa Thabet Hussein, Nagham Nabil Mahmoud Omar, Mohamed Mostafa Kotb, Mohamed Abdel-Tawab & Hazem Abu Zeid Yousef
Research Department
Department of Diagnostic Radiology
Research Journal
Egyptian Journal of Radiology and Nuclear Medicine
Research Member
Nagham Nabil Mahmoud Omar
Research Publisher
springer
Research Rank
1
Research Vol
NULL
Research Website
NULL
Research Year
2020
Research_Pages
NULL
Research Abstract

Background
Brachial plexus injury occurs following birth trauma or adult trauma as well, surgical repair is important to regain upper limb function, and preoperative evaluation with MRI is important and considered the accurate and safe imaging modality.

Thirty-seven patients with clinically suspected obstetric (15 patients) or adult traumatic (22 patients) brachial plexus injury were included in our study; all of them underwent MRI examination including T1WI, T2WI, STIR, DWIBS, 3D STIR SPACE, and MR myelography sequences.

Results
In obstetric cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 63%, 89%, and 82%, respectively, while for postganglionic lesions, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 99%, and 95%, respectively. In adult cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 96%, 95%, and 95% respectively, while for postganglionic injury, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 100%, and 99%, respectively.

Conclusion
MRI represents a safe, non-invasive, diagnostic modality having the multiplanar capability and better soft tissue characterization.