Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury Research Articles

Outcomes of surgically managed adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries in an upper-middle-income country

BackgroundTraumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPIs) are debilitating and complex to treat. The last five decades have seen advances in surgical management, and consequently improved functional outcomes in patients with these injuries. There is limited data available describing the outcomes of surgically managed TBPIs within the South African context. This study aimed to identify the common causes of injury, injury characteristics, and functional outcomes of surgically managed patients with TBPIs. MethodsWe conducted a retrospective chart review of all adult patients that underwent surgery for TBPIs over a period of ten years at a specialised hand unit in South Africa. The minimum follow-up period was one year. Patient demographic details, injury characteristics and functional outcomes were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to determine factors associated with functional outcomes. A good functional outcome for recovery was defined as a Medical Research Council (MRC) grade of three or more for the affected elements of the plexus at the most recent follow-up. ResultsForty-seven patients of median age 32 years were included in the final analysis. Most patients were male (87.2 %). The majority of patients were injured in motor vehicle accidents (MVAs) or from penetrating stab wounds (48.9 % and 38.3 % respectively). The median pre-operative MRC grade of the affected elements of the brachial plexus was 0.0, and post-operatively was 2.0. Fourteen patients (14 of 47, 29.8 %) had a good outcome and 33 had a poor outcome (33 of 47, 70.2 %). There was no difference in outcome comparing penetrating injury mechanisms to closed traction or blunt injuries, (p = 0.386, OR 1.75, 95 % CI 0.49–6.20). All patients with pan-plexal injuries had a poor outcome (15 of 33, 46 %). All patients who received intercostal (6 of 33, 18 %) or phrenic nerve transfers (3 of 33, 9 %) had a poor outcome. ConclusionAdult traumatic BPIs in this South African sample typically presented more than two months after injury and were comprised of a high proportion of penetrating injuries. Just under a third of surgically managed patients had a good outcome. Pan plexal injuries have uniformly poor outcomes. We recommend early referral for all TBPIs to a unit that manages BPI to improve outcomes.

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries: advances and current updates.

Nerve grafting, tendon transfer and joint fusion are routinely used to improve the upper limb function in patients with brachial plexus palsies. Newer techniques have been developed that provide additional options for reconstruction. Nerve transfer is a tool for restoring upper limb function in total root avulsions where nerve grafting is not possible. In partial brachial plexus injuries, nerve transfers can greatly improve shoulder, elbow, wrist and hand function. Intraoperative electrical stimulation can be used to diagnose precisely which nerve is injured and to choose which nerve fascicles should be transferred. Finally, measuring the postoperative outcome can improve the evaluation of our techniques. The aim of this article was to present the current techniques used to treat patients with brachial plexus injury.

Development of a core outcome set for traumatic brachial plexus injury.

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Development and Assessment of a Patient "Journey Guide" for Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury.

Patients with a traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI) have previously identified the need for improved patient education tools, emphasizing the importance of communicating outcome expectations, providing attention to the emotional aspects of the injury and the treatment of pain, and acknowledging the needs of caregivers. We created a journey guide, a BPI-specific educational tool, to address these deficiencies. In this study, we determined the acceptability of the journey guide through surveys of and semistructured interviews with patients with a BPI. The journey guide was created by a multidisciplinary team focusing on previously defined areas for the improvement of patient education and care delivery related to BPI. To assess the acceptability of the journey guide, we recruited 19 participants from the brachial plexus clinic of our institution and the United Brachial Plexus Network to complete a series of surveys and semistructured interviews. Participants completed surveys regarding their satisfaction with the journey guide, and we conducted semistructured interviews to assess patient BPI experiences and impressions of the journey guide and to seek feedback. Interview transcripts were qualitatively analyzed to determine common themes for improvement. A total of 19 participants with a mean age of 44.7 years were included. The cohort was predominantly male (13 participants) and White (16 participants). The mean time since BPI was 12.9 years, ranging from 2.0 to 39.7 years. On a visual analog scale, satisfaction with the journey guide was given a mean score of 8.4; expected usefulness when a patient is first injured, 8.7; potential for continued use, 7.3; and the fit for the BPI community, 8.8. Qualitative analysis demonstrated a primarily positive view of the guide and identified 4 major themes: (1) visuals and quotes improve clarity and engagement, (2) the journey guide would be most useful immediately following an injury, (3) the journey guide is an effective organizational tool, and (4) it is difficult to orient patients toward future hardships. The journey guide successfully filled a gap in the current care for BPI and was largely deemed acceptable by patients with a BPI. Specifically, participants found the journey guide to be a concise educational resource and an effective organizational tool. Participants also indicated that areas for improvement include the increased use of graphics and images and recognition of the greater BPI community with which patients can engage.

The Influence of Psychosocial Factors on Disability and Expected Improvement Before Surgery for Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

Psychosocial factors influence pain and recovery after extremity trauma and may be targets for early intervention. This may be of particular interest for patients with adult traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI), given the broad and devastating impact of the injury. We hypothesized that there would be an association between depressive symptoms, anxiety, and pain interference with preoperative disability and expectations for improvement after BPI surgery. We enrolled 34 patients into a prospective multicenter cohort study for those undergoing surgery for adult traumatic BPI. Before surgery, participants completed Patient-Reported Outcome Measurement Information System scales for pain interference, anxiety, and depressive symptoms, and a validated BPI-specific measure of disability and expected improvement. We performed Pearson correlation analysis between pain interference, anxiety symptoms, and depressive symptoms with (A) disability and (B) expected improvement. We created separate linear regression models for (A) disability and (B) expected improvement including adjustment for severity of plexus injury, age, sex, and race. Among 34 patients, there was a moderate, statistically significant, correlation between preoperative depressive symptoms and higher disability. This remained significant in a linear regression model adjusted for severity of plexus injury, age, sex, and race. There was no association between severity of plexus injury and disability. Depressive symptoms also were moderately, but significantly, correlated with higher expected improvement. This remained significant in a linear regression model adjusted for severity of plexus injury, age, sex, and race. Depressive symptoms are associated with greater disability and higher expected improvement before BPI surgery. Screening for depressive symptoms can help BPI teams identify patients who would benefit from early referral to mental health specialists and tailor appropriate expectations counseling for functional recovery. We did not find an association between severity of BPI and patient-reported disability, suggesting either that the scale may lack validity or that the sample is biased. Prognostic II.

Preinjury Social Determinants of Health Disparities Predict Postinjury Psychosocial Conditions in Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries.

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (TBPIs) are life-altering events that can have detrimental effects on a patient's quality of life. To examine how social determinants of health (SDOH) disparities influence the risk of developing new psychosocial conditions after TBPIs in previously psychiatric-naïve patients. Between January 2010 and June 2019, a retrospective analysis was performed using PearlDiver's Mariner, an all-payer claims database, to create 3 cohorts: TBPI disparity cohort: patients with TBPI and presence of at least 1 SDOH disparity before injury, TBPI without disparity cohort: patients with TBPI and the absence of any SDOH disparity, and control cohort: patients without TBPIs. The matched population analyzed in this study consisted of 1176 patients who were equally represented in the TBPI disparity cohort (n = 392, 33.33%), TBPI without disparity cohort (n = 392, 33.33%), and control cohort (n = 392, 33.33%). A total of 301 patients developed any psychosocial condition with 4 years of their injury. Patients in the TBPI disparity cohort had significantly higher rates of developing any psychosocial condition (31.12%, P < .0005), depression (22.70%, P = .0032), anxiety (18.62%, P = .0203), drug abuse (7.91%, P = .0060), and alcohol abuse (4.85%, P = .03499) when compared with the other cohorts. Furthermore, the disparity cohort carried a significantly increased risk of developing any psychosocial condition (hazard ratio 1.42, 95% CI 1.09-1.86). The rates of suicide attempt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and divorce did not significantly differ between groups. TBPI patients with SDOH disparities are at increased risk of developing new-onset psychosocial conditions, such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse. Level of Evidence: Prognostic Level III.

Early grafting in severe adult traumatic brachial plexus injury

Nerve surgical treatment for severe adult traumatic brachial plexus injury is traditionally delayed for months to await spontaneous recovery. Since 2009, the authors have strived to operate on patients with severe brachial plexus lesions within 2 weeks after trauma. This video shows the workup, surgical strategy, and benefits of early supraclavicular nerve grafting, including intraoperative nerve stimulation. The video can be found here: https://stream.cadmore.media/r10.3171/2022.10.FOCVID2288.

Patient Characteristics Associated with Operative Treatment for Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries at Two Tertiary Referral Hospitals in a Single US Metropolitan Area.

Background: The primary objective of this study was to identify patient-related and socioeconomic factors associated with the operative treatment of adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPI) at two tertiary referral centres in a single metropolitan area in the United States. The secondary objective was to assess surgeon variability in operative treatment. Methods: Adult patients with traumatic BPI at two tertiary referral centres in a single metropolitan area from 2015 to 2019 were retrospectively identified. After applying exclusion criteria, 84 adult patients with traumatic BPI treated by 22 surgeons were included. Our response variable was operative treatment of the traumatic BPI. Bi-variate screen was performed, and multi-variable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with operative treatment. Surgeon variability was separately assessed using Fisher's exact test. Results: The mean age of the study cohort was 45 years, and 69% were male. The most common BPI pattern was a global injury (39%) followed by an upper trunk injury (23%). Thirty-eight patients (45%) underwent operative treatment for the traumatic BPI. Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that younger age and out-of-state referral were associated with operative treatment. There was significant surgeon variation in the utilisation of operative treatment. Conclusions: Out-of-state patients had more than four times higher odds of operative treatment, suggesting a regional practise pattern in which BPI requiring surgery are referred from surrounding states to our tertiary centres. Supra-regional BPI centres may facilitate timely referrals for specialty care. High-quality outcomes research in BPI is needed to mitigate surgeon treatment variation. Level of Evidence: Level IV (Therapeutic).

CORR Insights®: What is the Elbow Flexion Strength After Free Functional Gracilis Muscle Transfer for Adult Traumatic Complete Brachial Plexus Injuries?

CORR Insights®: What is the Elbow Flexion Strength After Free Functional Gracilis Muscle Transfer for Adult Traumatic Complete Brachial Plexus Injuries?

140 Social Determinants of Health: A Critical Factor in Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury Outcomes

INTRODUCTION: Over the past three decades, there has been an accumulation of evidence pointing to social determinants of health (SDOH) as inherent causes for an array of health outcomes. METHODS: Between January 2010—June 2019, a retrospective analysis was performed using PearlDiver’s Mariner. One-to-one exact-matching based on baseline patient demographics was completed, creating three identical groups: AT-BPI disparity cohort: patients with AT-BPI and presence of at least one SDOH disparity prior to injury: • economic instability • food insecurity • inadequate education • community and social context problems • inaccessible healthcare facilities • neighborhood and physical environment issues AT-BPI without disparity cohort: patients with AT-BPI and the absence of any SDOH disparity. Control cohort: patients without AT-BPIs. The following primary psychosocial outcomes were included in our study: depression, anxiety, drug abuse, alcohol abuse, suicide attempt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and divorce. RESULTS: The matched population analyzed in this study consisted of 1,176 patients that were equally represented in the AT-BPI disparity cohort (n = 392, 33.33%), AT-BPI without disparity cohort (n = 392, 33.33%), and control cohort (n = 392, 33.33%). A total of 301 patients developed any psychosocial condition with four-years of their injury. Patients in the AT-BPI disparity cohort had significantly higher rates of developing any psychosocial condition (31.12%, p &lt; 0.0005), depression (22.70%, p = 0.0032), anxiety (18.62%, p = 0.0203), drug abuse (7.91%, p = 0.0060), and alcohol abuse (4.85%, p = 0.03499) when compared to the other cohorts. Furthermore, the disparity cohort carried a significantly increased risk of developing any psychosocial condition (HR 1.42, 95% CI 1.09-1.86). The rates of suicide attempt, post-traumatic stress disorder, and divorce did not significantly differ between groups. CONCLUSION: AT-BPI patients with SDOH disparities are at increased risk of developing new-onset psychosocial conditions, such as depression, anxiety, drug abuse, and alcohol abuse. Clinicians should routinely screen for psychiatric conditions and assess social factors to improve identification of at-risk patients. A multidisciplinary approach incorporating medical, surgical, social, and psychological experts should be considered when managing these injuries.

Application of a myoelectric elbow flexion assist orthosis in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury: patient perspectives.

Individuals with brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) can be prescribed assistive devices, including myoelectric elbow orthoses (MEOs), for rehabilitation or functional use after failed treatment for elbow flexion restoration. Although recent case studies indicate potential for clinical improvements after using an MEO after BPI, the patients' perspectives on such use are still unknown. To explore patient perspectives on the use of an MEO after surgical treatment for a traumatic BPI. Qualitative using both a focus group and semistructured interviews. Patients with BPI that used an MEO were recruited. Five patients participated in an in-person focus group, whereas three patients participated in individual phone interviews. Themes that emerged from the focus group were compared against those that emerged from the personal interviews. Feedback was grouped into three themes: device usage, hardware performance, and device design. Within each theme, positive elements, areas for improvement, and additional considerations emerged. Patients indicated a positive attitude toward using an MEO as a rehabilitation tool. They desired a streamlined, stronger device to support them and assist during activities of daily living. For patients with BPI, a well-designed MEO that meets their needs could assist with rehabilitation and increase independence in daily activities. Continued patient engagement in the evaluation and development of both medical devices and treatment plans offers the best opportunity for improved outcomes that are important to the patient.

Application of myoelectric elbow flexion assist orthosis in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury: a retrospective clinical study.

Adult traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) can result in severe impairment following penetrating wounds, falls, and motor vehicle accidents or other high-energy trauma. Quantify functional outcomes of adult patients with a BPI using a myoelectric orthosis to restore elbow flexion. Retrospective review. A clinic specializing in the BPI treatment at a large academic medical center tested nineteen adult patients with BPI. These patients had failed to achieve antigravity elbow flexion following their injury and observation or surgical reconstruction. They were provided a myoelectric elbow orthosis (MEO) if they had detectable electromyography signals. There was significant improvement in strength and significant reductions in function and pain when using an MEO. Following initiation of the MEO, 12 of the 19 patients had clinical improvements in muscle strength, 15 patients showed improvement in their DASH, and 13 patients reported improvements in their Visual Analog Scale. The use of an MEO improves elbow flexion strength, increases function, and reduces pain in the majority of patients with BPI and inadequate elbow flexion following observation or surgical reconstruction.

Shoulder Arthrodesis versus Upper Trapezius Transfer for Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury: A Proportional Meta-Analysis.

Shoulder arthrodesis and upper trapezius transfer are two surgical options for secondary shoulder reconstruction for traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI). There is a lack of comparative evidence to guide the choice for one procedure over the other. The objectives of this study were to compare (1) rates of complications and reoperation and (2) shoulder range of motion and functional outcome scores following shoulder arthrodesis versus upper trapezius transfer for traumatic BPI. A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted by a search of four databases of studies assessing shoulder arthrodesis and/or upper trapezius transfer for shoulder reconstruction following adult traumatic BPI. A proportional meta-analysis was performed using a random effects model in anticipation of unobserved heterogeneity. The final meta-analysis included 374 patients from 17 studies, including 232 patients from 11 studies on shoulder arthrodesis and 142 patients from 6 studies on upper trapezius transfer. Shoulder arthrodesis had higher rates of complications and reoperations than upper trapezius transfer for traumatic BPI, but these differences did not reach a statistical significance. Due to the limited sample size, variations in reporting, and study heterogeneity in the published literature, we were not able to draw conclusions regarding shoulder range of motion and functional outcome scores between these two procedures. Shoulder arthrodesis and upper trapezius transfer are both viable options for secondary shoulder reconstruction for traumatic BPI, but with different complications and reoperation profiles. Patients should be counseled on the risk of nonunion and humerus fracture following shoulder arthrodesis.

Differences in management and treatment of traumatic adult pan brachial plexus injuries: a global perspective regarding continental variations.

An expert opinion study was designed to query five countries and six brachial plexus surgeons regarding the demographics, mechanisms of injury, evaluation, timing of surgery, reconstructive strategies and controversies in adult traumatic pan brachial plexus injuries. Variations in assessing outcomes, management of neuropathic pain and future considerations were elucidated. Clear differences in regional demographics, mechanisms of injury, patient evaluation and treatment strategies were identified. The role of phrenic nerve and contralateral C7 transfer, acute use of free functioning muscle transfers, root reimplantation and amputation/myoelectric prosthetic fitting were regional/surgeon dependent. Comparison of outcomes across regions requires an understanding of the regional nuances of patient demographics, injury mechanisms, preferred reconstructive strategies and how outcomes are measured. Future studies are required to allow accurate regional comparisons.

Developing a core outcome set for traumatic brachial plexus injuries: a systematic review of outcomes

ObjectiveTo identify what outcomes have been assessed in traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) research to inform the development of a core outcome set for TBPI.DesignSystematic review.MethodMedline (OVID), EMBASE, CINAHL and...

Delayed Referral for Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injuries

The treatment of traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI) is time-sensitive, and early nerve reconstruction is associated with superior nerve recovery. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of delayed referral to our centers for traumatic BPI, identifiable causes of delayed referral, and factors associated with delayed referral to a brachial plexus surgeon. We identified 84 patients with traumatic BPI referred to and evaluated by brachial plexus surgeons at 2 tertiary care referral centers from 2015 to 2019. Delayed referral was defined as more than 3 months from the date of injury to the date of initial evaluation by a brachial plexus surgeon. Causes of delayed referral were identified by review of the medical record. Bivariate analysis and multivariable logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with delayed referral. Mean age of the 84 patients in the study was 45 years; 69% were male. The most common pattern of BPI was global palsy (39%), followed by upper-trunk palsy (23%) and infraclavicular palsy (15%). Median time from injury to surgical evaluation was 2 months (interquartile range, 2-4 months). Thirty-seven patients had a delayed referral (44%). Multivariable logistic regression analysis showed that the hospital to which the patient was referred, Medicare insurance, and motorcycle accident as the mechanism of injury were associated with a delayed referral. Nearly half of traumatic BPI patients evaluated at 2 tertiary referral centers in a large metropolitan area in the United States presented in a delayed time frame. Both modifiable and nonmodifiable associations with delayed referral were identified. Patients with Medicare insurance had increased odds of delayed referral. Establishment of multidisciplinary BPI specialty centers, outreach to local and regional hospitals, and development of referral algorithms and pathways may improve timeliness of referrals.

A qualitative study of life satisfaction after surgery for adult traumatic brachial plexus injury.

AimsBrachial plexus injury (BPI) is an often devastating injury that affects patients physically and emotionally. The vast majority of the published literature is based on surgeon-graded assessment of motor outcomes, but the patient experience after BPI is not well understood. Our aim was to better understand overall life satisfaction after BPI, with the goal of identifying areas that can be addressed in future delivery of care.MethodsWe conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 BPI patients after initial nerve reconstruction. The interview guide was focused on the patient’s experience after BPI, beginning with the injury itself and extending beyond surgical reconstruction. Inductive and deductive thematic analysis was used according to standard qualitative methodology to better understand overall life satisfaction after BPI, contributors to life satisfaction, and opportunities for improvement.ResultsAmong the 15 patients interviewed, the following themes emerged: 1) happiness and life satisfaction were noted despite limitations in physical function; 2) quality of social support influences life satisfaction during recovery from BPI; and 3) social participation and having a sense of purpose impact life satisfaction during recovery from BPI.ConclusionHow patients perceive their BPI treatment and recovery varies widely, and is not directly linked to their self-reported functional outcome. Patients with stronger social circles and activities that give them a sense of fulfillment were more likely to be satisfied with their current status. Evaluating a patient’s social network, goals, and potential supportive adaptations early in the treatment timeline through coordinated multidisciplinary care may improve overall satisfaction during recovery from BPI.Cite this article: Bone Joint Open 2020;2(1):9–15.

Variability in Surgeon Approaches to Emotional Recovery and Expectation Setting After Adult Traumatic Brachial Plexus Injury

PurposeIncreasing emphasis has been placed on multidisciplinary care for patients with traumatic brachial plexus injury (BPI), and there has been a growing appreciation for the impact of psychological and emotional components of recovery. Because surgeons are typically charged with leading the recovery phase of BPI, our objective was to build a greater understanding of surgeons’ perspectives on the care of BPI patients and potential areas for improvement in care delivery.MethodsWe conducted semistructured qualitative interviews with 14 surgeons with expertise in BPI reconstruction. The interview guide contained questions regarding the surgeons’ practice and care team structure, their attitudes and approaches to psychological and emotional aspects of recovery, and their preferences for setting patient expectations. We used inductive thematic analysis to identify themes.ResultsThere was a high degree of variability in how surgeons addressed emotional and psychological aspects of recovery. Whereas some surgeons embraced the practice of addressing these components of care, others felt strongly that BPI surgeons should remain focused on technical aspects of care. Several participants described the emotional toll that caring for BPI patients can have on surgeons and how this concern has affected their approach to care. Surgeons also recognized the importance of setting preoperative expectations. There was an emphasis on setting low expectations in an attempt to minimize the risk for dissatisfaction. Surgeons described the challenges in effectively counseling patients about a condition that is prone to substantial injury heterogeneity and variability in functional outcomes.ConclusionsOur results demonstrate wide variability in how surgeons address emotional, psychological, and social barriers to recovery for BPI patients.Clinical relevanceBest practices for BPI care are difficult to establish because of the relative heterogeneity of neurologic injury, the unpredictable impact and recovery of the patient, and the substantial variability in physician approach to the care of these patients.

Restoration of elbow flexion in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury – a quantitative analysis of results of single versus double nerve transfer

BackgroundRestoration of elbow flexion is one of the key components of adult brachial plexus surgery. Nerve transfers are routinely used to attain elbow flexion. PurposeThis study aims to quantify the recovery of elbow flexion power and to compare the outcome following single nerve transfer and double nerve transfer to branches of the musculocutaneous nerve in adult traumatic brachial plexus injury. MethodWe conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients with traumatic upper brachial plexus injury who underwent nerve transfer of the musculocutaneous nerve with either Ulnar nerve fascicles (SN) or both Ulnar and Median nerve fascicles (DN) for restoring elbow flexion. Patients with a minimum follow up of 18 months after surgery were included in this study. Elbow flexion strength was quantified using a force transducer and software module and the results were compared between the two groups. ResultThe median strength of elbow flexion was 14.3 Newton meter. In the SN group, the mean strength of elbow flexion was 5.4 ± 5 Nm, and for DN group it was 20.4 ± 9.9 Nm. Elbow flexion strength following DN procedure was significantly better when compared with SN. ConclusionThe additional nerve transfer of median nerve fascicles with musculocutaneous nerve branch to the brachialis muscle does not add clinically obvious morbidity to the patient but has definite benefit as observed in this study. We advocate double fascicular nerve transfer for elbow flexion in upper brachial plexus injuries if the median and ulnar nerve functions are normal.

Role of MRI in the diagnosis of adult traumatic and obstetric brachial plexus injury compared to intraoperative findings

BackgroundBrachial plexus injury occurs following birth trauma or adult trauma as well, surgical repair is important to regain upper limb function, and preoperative evaluation with MRI is important and considered the accurate and safe imaging modality.Thirty-seven patients with clinically suspected obstetric (15 patients) or adult traumatic (22 patients) brachial plexus injury were included in our study; all of them underwent MRI examination including T1WI, T2WI, STIR, DWIBS, 3D STIR SPACE, and MR myelography sequences.ResultsIn obstetric cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 63%, 89%, and 82%, respectively, while for postganglionic lesions, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 99%, and 95%, respectively. In adult cases, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy for preganglionic injury were 96%, 95%, and 95% respectively, while for postganglionic injury, MRI sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy were 60%, 100%, and 99%, respectively.ConclusionMRI represents a safe, non-invasive, diagnostic modality having the multiplanar capability and better soft tissue characterization.