Obstetric brachial plexus injury complicated with glenohumeral dysplasia

Area of Science:

• Pediatric neurology
• Neonatal care
• Musculoskeletal imaging

Background:

• Brachial plexus injuries are a leading cause of neonatal arm plegia.
• Accurate diagnosis of nerve root avulsions and intraspinal lesions is vital for effective treatment strategies.
• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the preferred non-invasive imaging modality for infant brachial plexus evaluation due to its ability to visualize nerve lesions without radiation.

Observation:

• Conventional radiography plays a role in follow-up assessments of osseous deformities in the glenoid fossa and humeral head.
• This case report details an obstetric brachial plexus injury in a 3-year-old girl.
• The injury was complicated by the development of glenohumeral shoulder deformity.

Findings:

• MRI enables detailed visualization and localization of various nerve lesions within the brachial plexus.
• Radiography can identify and monitor skeletal changes, such as glenoid fossa and humeral head deformities, over time.
• The presented case highlights a complex outcome of neonatal brachial plexus injury.

Implications:

• Early and accurate diagnosis using MRI can significantly impact treatment planning for neonatal brachial plexus injuries.
• Long-term follow-up with radiography is important for managing associated skeletal complications like glenohumeral deformity.
• Understanding these imaging modalities is key to optimizing patient outcomes and managing the long-term effects of brachial plexus injuries.