Parsonage-Turner syndrome (acute brachial neuritis)

Area of Science:

• Neurology
• Orthopedics
• Rheumatology

Background:

• Acute brachial neuritis, also known as Parsonage-Turner syndrome, is a neurological disorder affecting the shoulder and arm.
• It is characterized by sudden onset of severe pain followed by muscle weakness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the clinical course and long-term outcomes of patients diagnosed with Parsonage-Turner syndrome.
• To understand the natural history of pain and weakness associated with this condition.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective case review of seven patients diagnosed with acute brachial neuritis.
• Long-term follow-up evaluation of symptoms, including pain and shoulder weakness.

Main Results:

• All patients experienced acute, severe shoulder pain without preceding trauma, which resolved spontaneously.
• Shoulder weakness developed approximately four weeks after pain onset and showed gradual, spontaneous improvement.
• Three out of seven patients had persistent mild weakness at the final follow-up, a mean of six years after symptom onset.

Conclusions:

• Parsonage-Turner syndrome typically involves complete pain resolution but can lead to long-term residual weakness.
• The gradual recovery of shoulder function highlights the importance of long-term patient monitoring.