View source for Brachial plexus injury

==Background==
[[File:Gray523.png|thumb|Brachial plexus surrounding the brachial artery.]]
[[File:Brachial plexus 2.png|thumb|Anatomical illustration of the brachial plexus with areas of roots, trunks, divisions and cords marked.]]
[[File:Grant 1962 664.png|thumb|Nerve roots that supply sensation to the upper extremities.]]
*Injuries can be penetrating, compression, or closed traction:
**Supraclavicular (roots and trunks)
**Infraclavicular (cords and terminal nerves)

{{Causes of brachial plexopathy}}

===Anatomy<ref>Tintinalli. Emergency Medicine. 7th Edition, 2011.</ref>===
*Roots:
**C5
**C6
**C7
**C8
**T1
*Trunks:
**Upper
**Middle
**Lower
*Cords:
**Lateral
**Posterior
**Medial
*Terminal Nerves:
**Musculocutaneous
**Median
**Axillary
**Radial
**Ulnar

==Clinical Features==
[[File:Brachial Plexus Injury during Motorcycle accident.jpg|thumb|Simulated mechanism of injury.]]
*Arm pain (constant, burning)
*C5 injury: 
**weakness of deltoid and infraspinatus causes adducted, internally rotated shoulder
*C6 injury: 
**weakness of biceps causes elbow extension
*C7 injury: 
**weakness of extensor muscles causes wrist and digit flexion

==Differential Diagnosis==
*[[Rucksack paralysis]]
{{Shoulder DDX}}
{{Upper extremity peripheral nerve syndromes}}

==Evaluation==
*Clinically evaluate for concurrent phrenic nerve injury and diaphragmatic paresis
*MRI
*CT myelography
*EMG
*Surgical exploration

==Management==
*Early neurosurgical consultation
*PT / OT

==Disposition==

==See Also==
*[[Spinal cord levels]]
*[[Neurologic Exam]]

==External Links==

==References==
<references/>

[[Category:Neurology]]