[Neuralgic amyotrophy: an inflammatory neuropathy and its surgical treatment]

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is a monofocal or oligofocal inflammatory neuropathy whose incidence has been significantly underestimated. A connection between constrictions and torsions of peripheral nerves with this disease has been increasingly established in recent years. Modern imaging techniques such as high-resolution nerve ultrasound and MR neurography have contributed to a better understanding of the pathophysiology and a better assessment of the prognosis of the disease. This has led to the concept of treating patients with such focal changes surgically in order to improve the prognosis. This review presents current ideas on the pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment of the disease.

In a retrospective study, pre-, intra- and postoperative findings of 22 patients with 23 constrictions/torsions of peripheral nerves of the upper extremity were analysed. The patients underwent surgery at a nerve surgery centre over a period of 3.5 years (Dec. 2019-May 2023). The median nerve was most frequently affected (N=9), followed by the suprascapular nerve (N=6) and radial nerve (N=4). The axillary nerve (N=3) and the accessory nerve (N=1) were also involved. Surgical exploration revealed nerve torsions (N=9), nerve constrictions (N=5), fascicular torsions (N=12) and fascicular constrictions (N=9). Depending on the intraoperative findings, epineuriotomies (N=1), epi- and perineuriotomies (N=33), end-to-end sutures (N=2), and one epi- and one perineural suture were performed.

After an average follow-up of 10 months (3-28 months), 17 patients were re-examined. All of them reported a clear subjective improvement in motor deficits. Clinically and electromyographically, a reinnervation and significant increase in strength from a pre-existing strength grade of M0 to at least M3 in the vast majority of affected muscles was demonstrated in these patients.

The incidence of NA continues to be underestimated and, in a significant proportion of patients, leads to permanent motor deficits, most likely due to constrictions and torsions of affected nerves. Surgical treatment is recommended as early as possible. Very good results can usually be achieved with epi- and perineuriotomy. In rare cases, end-to-end neurorrhaphy or nerve grafting is required.