PURPOSE: To illustrate how a thorough neurophysiological evaluation allows early diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brachial plexus injuries. METHODS: As examples, we report on the case of two patients with acute traumatic brachial plexus injuries for whom a comprehensive neurophysiological evaluation allowed early diagnosis and prognosis. RESULTS: Neurophysiological findings were consistent with complete proximal (root) lesion in one patient and a severe neuroapraxic block between Erb point and axilla in the other one. CONCLUSIONS: The two reported acute cases of traumatic brachial plexus injuries demonstrated the high diagnostic and prognostic value of the neurophysiological tests when fully utilized.
PURPOSE: To illustrate how a thorough neurophysiological evaluation allows early diagnosis and prognosis of traumatic brachial plexus injuries. METHODS: As examples, we report on the case of two patients with acute traumatic brachial plexus injuries for whom a comprehensive neurophysiological evaluation allowed early diagnosis and prognosis. RESULTS: Neurophysiological findings were consistent with complete proximal (root) lesion in one patient and a severe neuroapraxic block between Erb point and axilla in the other one. CONCLUSIONS: The two reported acute cases of traumatic brachial plexus injuries demonstrated the high diagnostic and prognostic value of the neurophysiological tests when fully utilized.