Computer-aided intelligence: application of an expert system to brachial plexus injuries

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Anatomy
• Medical Informatics

Background:

• Brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexus injuries present diagnostic challenges for neurosurgeons.
• Consulting anatomical atlases and pinpointing lesion locations can be time-consuming.

Purpose of the Study:

• To create a computer program that assists neurosurgeons in rapidly diagnosing peripheral nerve injuries.
• To provide a tool for determining the specific site of lesions within the brachial, lumbar, or sacral plexuses.

Main Methods:

• Development of a computer program utilizing known anatomical pathways for 37 upper and 20 lower extremity muscle innervations.
• The program relies solely on neurological motor examination findings for diagnosis.
• An interactive dialogue guides the user through the diagnostic process.

Main Results:

• The program enables rapid computer-assisted diagnosis of brachial, lumbar, and sacral plexus injuries.
• It can identify possible lesion sites even with multiple common pathway lesions, such as brachial plexus root avulsions.
• The software is compatible with standard IBM-compatible personal computers.

Conclusions:

• This computer program serves as a valuable aid for neurosurgeons managing complex peripheral nerve injuries.
• It offers assistance when expert consultants are unavailable and functions as a learning and review tool for neuroanatomy.