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KMID : 0371619990150020217
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Journal of Wonkwang Medical Science
1999 Volume.15 No. 2 p.217 ~ p.221
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Traumatic brachial Plexus Injury : Change of Posterior Cervical Back Muscles on MR
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Kim Hyung-Soo
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Abstract
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Background: The aim of our study was to evaluate the usefulness of signal intensity change of posterior cervical back muscles on MR for revealing cervicothoracic nerve roots avulsion in patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury.
Methods: We evaluated 38 patients with posttraumatic brachial plexus injury on MR imaging before surgical exploration and repair. MR images wereretrospectively evaluated for changes of signal intensity end size of posterior cervical back muscles by two radiologists. Results were correlated with final diagnosis after surgical exploration.
Results: In 55 levels with nerve root avulsion, T2- or T2^*-weighted MR images showed increased signal intensity in the deep posterior cervical paraspinal muscles in 21 levels. But in 10 levels without nerve root avulsion, the MR signal intensity of cervical paraspinal muscles was increased(38% sensitivity, 92% specificity). And atrophy of these muscles was seen in 27 levels. But in 13 levels without nerve root avulsion, atrophy of muscles was seen (55% sensitivity, 90% specificity).
Conclusions: MR signal intensity change or atrophy in the deep posterior cervical paraspinal muscles may suggest the presence of nerve root avulsion. However absence of this findings does not exclude the possibility of nerve root avulsion.
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KEYWORD
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Brachial plexus, Spinal nerve root injury, Magnetic resonnance imaging
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