BACKGROUND: Muscle pathology of the arm and forearm in brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) with elbow flexion contracture has not been evaluated with MRI. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether limited range of motion of the elbow in BPBI is correlated with specific patterns of muscular pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 15 BPBI patients, total active motion (TAM) of the elbow (extension-flexion) and the forearm (pronation-supination) were measured. MRI of the elbow joints and musculature allowed assessment of elbow congruency. Fatty infiltration and size reduction of the muscles were graded semiquantitatively. RESULTS: Mean TAM of the elbow was 113 degrees (50 degrees-140 degrees) and that of the forearm 91 degrees (10 degrees-165 degrees). The greater the size reduction of the brachioradialis muscle, the more diminished was elbow TAM. The more extensive the BPBI and muscle pathology of the pronator teres muscle, the more limited was the TAM of the forearm. Pathology of the supinator and brachialis muscles was evident in every patient. CONCLUSION: Extensive BPBI may result in marked limitation of TAM. Elbow flexion contracture seems to be caused mainly by brachialis muscle pathology. Prosupination of the forearm is better preserved when the pronator teres is not severely affected. MRI can reliably show the extent of muscle pathology in BPBI.
BACKGROUND: Muscle pathology of the arm and forearm in brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) with elbow flexion contracture has not been evaluated with MRI. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether limited range of motion of the elbow in BPBI is correlated with specific patterns of muscular pathology. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For 15 BPBI patients, total active motion (TAM) of the elbow (extension-flexion) and the forearm (pronation-supination) were measured. MRI of the elbow joints and musculature allowed assessment of elbow congruency. Fatty infiltration and size reduction of the muscles were graded semiquantitatively. RESULTS: Mean TAM of the elbow was 113 degrees (50 degrees-140 degrees) and that of the forearm 91 degrees (10 degrees-165 degrees). The greater the size reduction of the brachioradialis muscle, the more diminished was elbow TAM. The more extensive the BPBI and muscle pathology of the pronator teres muscle, the more limited was the TAM of the forearm. Pathology of the supinator and brachialis muscles was evident in every patient. CONCLUSION: Extensive BPBI may result in marked limitation of TAM. Elbow flexion contracture seems to be caused mainly by brachialis muscle pathology. Prosupination of the forearm is better preserved when the pronator teres is not severely affected. MRI can reliably show the extent of muscle pathology in BPBI.
Authors: Tiina H Pöyhiä; Yrjänä A Nietosvaara; Ville M Remes; Mikko O Kirjavainen; Jari I Peltonen; Antti E Lamminen Journal: Pediatr Radiol Date: 2005-01-06
Authors: Agnes F Hoeksma; Anne Marie ter Steeg; Rob G H H Nelissen; Willem J R van Ouwerkerk; Gustaaf J Lankhorst; Bareld A de Jong Journal: Dev Med Child Neurol Date: 2004-02 Impact factor: 5.449
Authors: J L Fleckenstein; D Watumull; K E Conner; M Ezaki; R G Greenlee; W W Bryan; D P Chason; R W Parkey; R M Peshock; P D Purdy Journal: Radiology Date: 1993-04 Impact factor: 11.105
Authors: Maaike J van der Sluijs; Willem-Jan R van Ouwerkerk; Johannes A van der Sluijs; Barend J van Royen Journal: J Brachial Plex Peripher Nerve Inj Date: 2015-04-29