Frequency and outcome of neoplastic brachial plexopathy: single institution experience

Symptomatic neoplastic brachial plexopathy (NBP) is estimated to occur in about 0.4% of all patients with cancer. The aim of this review was to determine the incidence of NBP occurring in patients referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review over a 5 year period revealed that a total of sixty-six MRls of brachial plexus were performed. Twenty-nine were performed for assessment of suspected traumatic injuries. Eighteen MRIs were performed in patients with a known cancer diagnosis, one was performed in a patient with a benign thymoma, one with a neurofibroma and the remaining seventeen MRIs were ordered for other conditions. In total, thirteen MRls were positive for brachial plexopathy (seven traumatic, five due to cancer, one neurofibroma). Of the twenty MRIs performed in patients with neoplasms, six (30%) confirmed a diagnosis of NBRP. Twenty seven point eight per cent (5/18) of patients with a diagnosis of cancer had NBP.