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[Post-radiation brachial plexus disease. Clinical and neurophysiological study]
Archivos De Neurobiologia
|January 1, 1990
Summary
Neurophysiological studies reveal distinct patterns in brachial plexopathies following radiation therapy, aiding differentiation from tumoral causes. Findings include nerve conduction block and fasciculations, suggesting shared pathophysiology with other neuropathies.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Clinical Neurophysiology
Context:
- Brachial plexopathies can occur after cancer radiation therapy.
- Differentiating post-radiation brachial plexopathy (PRBP) from tumoral brachial plexopathy (TBP) presents clinical challenges.
- Heterogeneity in symptom onset, pain, and clinical presentation complicates diagnosis.
Purpose:
- To investigate neurophysiological findings in patients with brachial plexopathies post-radiation therapy.
- To identify characteristic electrodiagnostic features that aid in differentiating PRBP from TBP.
- To explore potential correlations between specific neurophysiological phenomena.
Summary:
- Nine patients with 11 brachial plexopathies post-radiation therapy were studied.
- Neurophysiological studies revealed diffuse neurogenic lesions with denervation and impaired nerve conduction.
- Key findings included fasciculation potentials, myokymic discharges, and motor nerve conduction block, particularly with proximal stimulation.
- Absence of N9 potential in somatosensory evoked potentials was also noted.
Impact:
- Neurophysiological data can improve the differential diagnosis between PRBP and TBP.
- Findings suggest a potential causal relationship between nerve conduction blocking and fasciculations.
- The study may inform understanding of PRBP's pathophysiology and its relation to other neuropathies.