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Brachial plexopathy in infants after traumatic delivery: evaluation with MR imaging
S F Miller1, C M Glasier, M L Griebel
1Department of Radiology, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, Little Rock.
Radiology
|November 1, 1993
Summary
Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging effectively diagnoses traumatic pseudomeningocele in newborns with brachial plexopathy. Early MR imaging findings correlate with neurologic deficits, aiding in prognosis for traumatic birth injuries.
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Radiology
- Pediatrics
Background:
- Traumatic delivery can cause brachial plexopathy in newborns.
- Pseudomeningoceles are a potential complication of nerve root injury.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the diagnostic utility of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging for traumatic pseudomeningocele.
- To correlate MR imaging findings with neurologic outcomes in infants.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of five newborn infants with traumatic brachial plexopathy.
- Spinal MR imaging and serial neurologic examinations were performed.
- Comparison of MR imaging findings with clinical outcomes.
Main Results:
- Four infants showed pseudomeningoceles on cervical MR imaging, associated with persistent major neurologic deficits.
- One infant with normal MR imaging demonstrated near-complete spontaneous neurologic recovery.
- MR imaging identified cerebrospinal fluid collections extending into neural foramina.
Conclusions:
- Spinal MR imaging is valuable for diagnosing pseudomeningoceles in infants with birth-related brachial plexopathy.
- The presence of pseudomeningoceles on MR imaging is linked to nerve root avulsion.
- MR imaging findings can help predict neurologic outcomes in affected infants.