[Parsonage-Turner syndrome. Report of one case]
Gabriel Castillo1, Julio Salazar2, Juan Espinoza3
1Programa de Doctorado en Ciencias Médicas y Especialidad, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Revista Medica De Chile
|March 19, 2020
Summary
A patient developed severe radial nerve damage and wrist drop after coronary surgery. This case highlights neuralgic amyotrophy (Parsonage-Turner syndrome) as a potential complication following cardiovascular procedures.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Cardiovascular Surgery
Background:
- Post-operative complications following cardiovascular procedures can be diverse.
- Neuralgic amyotrophy, also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is an inflammatory neuropathy affecting the brachial plexus.
Observation:
- A 59-year-old male experienced sudden, severe burning pain in his left upper limb three weeks post-coronary revascularization.
- He subsequently developed paresis, specifically difficulty extending his left wrist and fingers.
- Electromyography revealed severe axonal damage to the radial nerve with distal denervation.
Findings:
- The patient's symptoms and diagnostic findings are consistent with neuralgic amyotrophy.
- This condition, also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome, involves inflammation of the brachial plexus.
- The radial nerve was identified as the primary site of injury.
Implications:
- This case suggests a potential link between coronary revascularization surgery and the onset of neuralgic amyotrophy.
- Early recognition and diagnosis are crucial for managing radial nerve damage and associated functional deficits.
- Further research may elucidate the specific mechanisms underlying this post-surgical neurological complication.
