Compressive neuropathy in childhood: a report of 14 cases

During a 6-year period, 14 of 898 patients examined at a pediatric electromyographic laboratory had a compressive mononeuropathy. These included five injuries to the peroneal nerve, four to the sciatic nerve, two to the distal radial nerve, and one each to the deep palmar branch of the ulnar nerve, the musculocutaneous nerve, and the long thoracic nerve. A potentially preventable mechanism was identified in 9 of the 14 patients, including prolonged posture in three of the four sciatic and two of the peroneal neuropathies. Four other mononeuropathies were secondary to pressure from an orthopedic appliance or procedure (one injury to the musculocutaneous nerve, one to the long thoracic nerve, two to the peroneal nerve).