Neuralgic Amyotrophy with Lesion of Whole Brachial Plexus - A Case Report -

Case Report

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2014;16(1):41-45.
Published online June 30, 2014.

Received: 8 November 2013 • Revised: 29 January 2014 • Accepted: 29 January 2014

Abstract

Neuralgic amyotrophy(NA) is characterized by the sudden onset of extreme pain in the extremity followed by rapid multifocal motor weakness and atrophy. It has been known to involve upper trunk of brachial plexus most frequently, and involvement of whole brachial plexus is known to be extremely rare. In this case, 77 year old female visited our clinic complaining of extreme pain and weakness on right upper limb, including shoulder. Radiologic and laboratory test showed no significance in right brachial plexus and cervical spine. An electrodiagnostic study showed neuralgic amyotrophy with lesion of whole brachial plexus. With conservative care, pain showed little improvement and muscle strength showed no recovery in long term follow period of one year. We report a case with literature review involved lesion of whole brachial plexus and had a poor prognosis.

Key Words: Electrodiagnosis, Neuralgic amyotrophy, Whole arm type