2023 Workshop Handout Bundle-Cervical Radiculopathy Brachial Plexopathy (Dr. Hayat)

Cervical Radiculopathy Brachial Plexopathy (Dr. Hayat)

Pdf Summary

The document is a detailed guide on the electrodiagnostic (EDX) assessment of cervical radiculopathies and brachial plexopathies, presented by Dr. Mark A. Ferrante. It explains the importance of EDX examinations which include nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electrode examinations (NEE), to diagnose peripheral sensory and motor neuron disorders.<br /><br />EDX is crucial for distinguishing between cervical radiculopathies, often stemming from nerve root compression, and brachial plexopathies, which involve the brachial plexus—a complex network of nerves originating from spinal nerve roots C5 through T1. The document underscores that sensory and motor NCS, alongside NEE, are essential as each provides unique information about the lesion's location, severity, and pathology.<br /><br />Cervical radiculopathies are typically diagnosed using sensory NCS to detect focal axon loss and motor NCS to ascertain lesion severity. NEE offers further lesion localization and characterization. Anatomy insights are provided, detailing the roots, trunks, divisions, cords, and terminal nerves of the brachial plexus. The sensory NCS help differentiate preganglionic from postganglionic lesions to further localize abnormalities within the brachial plexus.<br /><br />The document also describes how various components of the upper extremity nerves are assessed and includes a table of myotomal and nerve trunk innervations for select upper extremity muscles. It emphasizes that proper diagnosis often requires understanding of the regional aspects of the brachial plexus, as injuries tend to affect specific regions rather than the entire structure. Furthermore, the document offers guidance on interpreting electrodiagnostic results to manage patient care effectively.<br /><br />In conclusion, this guide serves as an educational resource for clinicians to accurately diagnose and manage cervical radiculopathies and brachial plexopathies using comprehensive EDX techniques. It also highlights the necessity of anatomical knowledge and a structured approach to nerve assessment for precise localization and optimal patient outcomes.

Keywords

electrodiagnostic

cervical radiculopathies

brachial plexopathies

nerve conduction studies

ncs

needle electrode examinations

peripheral neuron disorders

sensory NCS

motor NCS

brachial plexus anatomy

myotomal innervations

nerve conduction studies

nerve conduction study

ncs