Musculocutaneous neuropathy

Isolated musculocutaneous neuropathy is uncommon. In this study we aimed to determine its causes and clinical presentation and interpret the electrodiagnostic findings associated with this condition.

Our investigation was a retrospective review of patients diagnosed with musculocutaneous neuropathy at the Mayo Clinic (Rochester, Minnesota) electromyography (EMG) laboratory between 1997 and 2015.

Thirty-two patients with musculocutaneous neuropathy and 5 patients with lateral antebrachial cutaneous neuropathy were identified. The most common cause was acute trauma or surgery (65%). Fourteen percent of the cases were idiopathic and 14% were inflammatory. Pain and sensory disturbance were more common presentations than weakness. Weakness from nerve injury was not noted in 2 patients, suggesting that other muscles may provide adequate elbow flexion/supination. The bilateral absence of lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve sensory responses suggests an inflammatory cause.

Musculocutaneous neuropathy usually results from trauma or iatrogenic injury. Nerve conduction studies alone are insufficient to confirm neuropathy, and needle EMG examination should be a routine part of the diagnostic evaluation. Muscle Nerve 58: 726-729, 2018.