MRI of the brachial plexus: a review of 51 cases.

We present a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) study in 51 patients where the brachial plexus was evaluated. Using a 1.5 T clinical imaging system, we obtained T1-weighted sequences, and double-echo (intermediate- and T2-weighted) spin-echo images. The coronal plane was imaged in all examinations and was supplemented by images in the sagittal and/or axial planes. Twenty cases had proven pathological brachial plexus involvement, whereas, in 31 cases, no brachial plexus involvement was present. In 4 cases, the MRI findings were not in agreement with the final diagnosis found in the charts.