Compression syndrome involving the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve in high level quadriplegia

This report describes an etiology for a compression syndrome involving the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve (LACN) that is unique to high level quadriplegia. Two cases are presented that involve this syndrome in C5-C6 quadriplegia. Electrodiagnostic techniques and normal values have previously been established for the LACN, but not involving high-level spinal cord injured patients. A series of asymptomatic high-level quadriplegics at various times since their spinal cord injury was studied for appropriate comparison with the symptomatic cases and previously reported normal values. In the cases described, electrodiagnostic evidence of compression was documented and a diagnostic block was performed by injecting a local anesthetic at Olson's point. Once the diagnosis was established, injection with a long-acting local anesthetic and corticosteroid was therapeutic.