Sonographic Pearls for Imaging the Brachial Plexus and Its Pathologies

Area of Science:

• Neuroimaging
• Musculoskeletal Ultrasound
• Neurology

Background:

• The brachial plexus (BP) is crucial for upper limb function but susceptible to various pathologies.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is a standard diagnostic tool but is costly and lacks portability.
• High-resolution ultrasound (HRUS) is emerging as a valuable, accessible alternative for BP assessment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To provide practical "clinical pearls" for the sonographic examination of the brachial plexus (BP).
• To assist beginners in navigating the anatomical structures of the BP during ultrasound.
• To aid in the sonographic diagnosis of common BP pathologies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic review of existing literature on brachial plexus ultrasound techniques.
• Compilation of "clinical pearls" based on expert experience for optimizing HRUS scanning of the BP.
• Description of common BP pathologies and their sonographic appearances.

Main Results:

• HRUS provides detailed visualization of the BP, surpassing MRI in certain aspects like portability and cost-effectiveness.
• Specific "clinical pearls" are identified to improve scanning efficiency and anatomical localization for beginners.
• Sonographic features of common BP conditions, including trauma, neoplastic, and inflammatory lesions, are outlined.

Conclusions:

• High-resolution ultrasound is an effective and accessible tool for evaluating the brachial plexus and its pathologies.
• The "clinical pearls" presented aim to demystify BP ultrasound for novice practitioners.
• Ultrasound facilitates prompt diagnosis and can guide interventions for brachial plexus conditions.