Disorders of the brachial or lumbosacral plexus cause a painful mixed sensorimotor disorder of the corresponding limb.

Because several nerve roots intertwine within the plexus (see Peripheral Nervous System and Motor Unit Disorders: Plexuses.see Fig. 1: Peripheral Nervous System and Motor Unit Disorders: Plexuses.), the symptom pattern does not fit the distribution of individual roots or nerves. Disorders of the rostral brachial plexus affect the shoulders, those of the caudal brachial plexus affect the hands, and those of the lumbosacral plexus affect the legs.

Plexus disorders (plexopathies) are usually due to physical compression or injury. In infants, traction during birth may cause plexopathy. In adults, the cause is usually trauma (typically, for the brachial plexus, a fall that forces the head away from the shoulder) or invasion by metastatic cancer (typically, breast or lung cancer for the brachial plexus and intestinal or GU tumors for the lumbosacral plexus). In patients receiving anticoagulants, a hematoma may compress the lumbosacral plexus. Neurofibromatosis (see Neurocutaneous Syndromes: Neurofibromatosis) occasionally involves a plexus. Other causes include postradiation fibrosis (eg, after radiation therapy for breast cancer) and diabetes.

Acute brachial neuritis (neuralgic amyotrophy, Parsonage-Turner syndrome) occurs primarily in men and typically in young adults, although it can occur at any age. Cause is unknown, but viral or immunologic inflammatory processes are suspected.

Fig. 1
Plexuses.

Symptoms and Signs

Manifestations include extremity pain and motor or sensory deficits that do not correspond to an isolated nerve root or peripheral nerve distribution.

For acute brachial neuritis, symptoms include severe supraclavicular pain, weakness, and diminished reflexes, with minor sensory abnormalities in the distribution of the brachial plexus. Usually, weakness develops and reflexes decrease as pain resolves. Severe weakness develops within 3 to 10 days, then typically regresses over the next few months. The most commonly affected muscles are the serratus anterior (causing winging of the scapula), other muscles innervated by the upper trunk, and muscles innervated by the anterior interosseus nerve (in the forearm—patients may not be able to make an ο with the thumb and index finger).

Diagnosis

• Electromyography and nerve conduction studies
• Usually MRI or CT of the appropriate plexus

Diagnosis is suggested by clinical findings. Electromyography and nerve conduction studies should be done to clarify the anatomic distribution (including possible nerve root involvement). MRI or CT of the appropriate plexus and adjacent spine is done to detect abnormalities such as tumors and hematomas. MRI or CT is indicated for all nontraumatic plexopathies except typical cases of brachial neuritis.

Treatment

• Treatment directed at the cause

Corticosteroids, although commonly prescribed, have no proven benefit. Surgery may be indicated for injuries, hematomas, and benign or metastatic tumors. Metastases should also be treated with radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or both. Glycemic control can benefit patients with diabetic plexopathy.

Key Points

• Plexopathies are usually caused by compression or injury.
• Suspect acute brachial neuritis if patients have severe supraclavicular pain, followed by weakness and hyporeflexia that develop within days and resolve over months.
• Suspect a plexopathy if pain or peripheral neurologic deficits do not correspond to a nerve root or peripheral nerve distribution.
• In most cases, do electromyography and MRI or CT.
• Treat the cause.

Last full review/revision August 2012 by Michael Rubin, MDCM

Content last modified November 2012