Acute multiple brachial neuropathy and Ehlers-Danlos syndrome

Although acute brachial neuritis is a well-known syndrome, factors that contribute to its pathogenesis are not yet understood. Only once before has this syndrome been reported in connection with Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. We describe here a 24-year-old man who suddenly developed acute multiple brachial neuritis of the right shoulder and on neurologic examination showed an associated finding of Ehlers-Danlos syndrome. The latter syndrome was also confirmed in other members of his family. This combination may have been overlooked previously. Mechanical and traumatic factors may play an important role in both pathogenesis and therapy.