Complications in Surgery for Brachial Plexus Birth Injury: Avoidance and Treatment.

Brachial plexus birth injuries are rare, with treatment and follow-up often required from infancy until skeletal maturity. We review complications that may occur related to primary nerve surgery or secondary musculoskeletal procedures, and discuss how these may be avoided.

Long-Term Results of Isolated Latissimus Dorsi to Rotator Cuff Transfer in Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Background Brachial plexus birth injury results in deficits in strength and motion, occasionally requiring surgery to restore power to the deficient external rotators of the shoulder in these patients. This is a retrospective analysis of the long-term results of an isolated latissimus dorsi transfer to the rotator cuff in patients with brachial plexus birth injury. Methods This is a retrospective review of prospectively collected data for patients undergoing isolated latissimus dorsi transfer into the infraspinatus in addition to release of the internal rotation contracture of the shoulder with greater than 5 years' follow-up. Preoperative and postoperative shoulder elevation and external rotation were documented. Failure of surgery was defined as a return of the internal rotation contracture and a clinically apparent clarion sign. Results A total of 22 patients satisfied the inclusion criteria: 9 global palsies and 13 upper trunk palsies. The average follow-up was 11 years, ranging from 7.5 to 15.9 years. There was a trend for improved external rotation in the global palsy cohort at final follow-up ( p = 0.084). All nine global palsies maintained adequate external rotation without a clarion sign. Five of the 13 upper trunk palsies failed the latissimus dorsi transfer and subsequently required either teres major transfer and/or rotational osteotomy. In these five failures, the period from initial transfer to failure averaged 6.6 years, ranging from 3.4 to 9.5 years. Conclusion The results of this study indicate that patients with global palsy have sustained long-term improved outcomes with isolated latissimus dorsi transfer while patients with upper trunk palsy have a high rate of failure. Based on these results, we recommend isolated latissimus dorsi transfer for global palsy patients who have isolated infraspinatus weakness. Level of Evidence: Case series - Level IV.

Long-Term Hand and Shoulder Function in Children following Early Surgical Intervention for a Birth-Related Upper Brachial Plexus Injury.

Purpose To better understand the long-term hand and shoulder outcomes of upper brachial plexus birth injuries. Methods We evaluated shoulder and hand function in 32 patients (13 males; 19 females) with a C5/C6 birth injury history). All patients had undergone primary nerve surgery as infants, and 12 underwent a simultaneous shoulder procedure as they presented with a fixed internal rotation contracture of the shoulder. On average, all patients were evaluated and examined 15 years postoperatively. The shoulder function was evaluated using the Miami Shoulder Scale. Hand function was measured by the 9-hole peg test (9-HPT) and statistical analysis included comparison of 9-HPT time against normative data using the Student's t -test. Results The cohort includes 22 right-hand-dominant and 10 left-hand-dominant patients. Mean age at surgery was 10 months; mean age at follow-up was 15 years ± 2 years 2 months. Cumulative shoulder function was "good" or "excellent" (Miami score) in 23 patients. For 9-HPT, 23 out of 32 patients seen had an involved hand with a significant alteration in function. Conclusion Early nerve surgery in cases of upper brachial plexus birth injuries result in the desired outcome. To ensure timely and targeted therapy for any residual deficits, it is imperative that limitations in hand function among children with an Erb's palsy.

Hand function in children with an upper brachial plexus birth injury: results of the nine-hole peg test.

AIM: The aim of this study was to evaluate hand function in children with Erb upper brachial plexus palsy. METHOD: Hand function was evaluated in 25 children (eight males; 17 females) with a diagnosed upper (C5/C6) brachial plexus birth injury. Of these children, 22 had undergone primary nerve reconstruction and 13 of the 25 had undergone simultaneous and/or secondary shoulder procedures. Hand function was evaluated using the nine-hole peg test at a mean age of 9 years (SD 2y 2mo), and compared with the contralateral, uninvolved hand. Results were compared with age- and sex-matched population norms, and correlated with shoulder outcomes using the Gilbert and Miami scores. RESULTS: Although shoulder function was graded as good or excellent in 24 of 25 children, hand function as measured by the nine-hole peg test was significantly altered in the involved hand in 80% (p=0.008). On average the participants took 18.8% longer to complete the task with the involved hand; this was significantly different from the expected difference of 7.2% (p=0.008). INTERPRETATION: Hand function is impaired in individuals with upper brachial plexus birth injury. These results suggest that from the initiation of treatment in this population, attention should be paid to recognizing and focusing therapy on subtle limitations of hand function.

Outcome after tendon transfers to restore wrist extension in children with brachial plexus birth injuries.

Children with brachial plexus birth injuries often require tendon transfer to restore active wrist extension and maximize hand function. The purpose of this study is to assess the clinical results in children with brachial plexus birth injuries after tendon transfer to reconstruct active wrist extension. Over a 10-year period, 21 children (11 male, 10 female) underwent tendon transfer to reconstruct active wrist extension by a single surgeon. Eight patients had C5/C6/C7 injury and 13 patients had global palsy (C5-T1). The average age at surgery was 5.5 years (range, 3 to 8 y). Restoration of wrist extension was measured according to the functional scale of Duclos and Gilbert. The mean duration of follow-up was 36 months (minimum follow-up of 1 y). At latest follow-up, 14 (66%) children (C5/C6/C7, n=8; global, n=6) demonstrated active wrist extension ≥ 30 degrees. Within the global injury subcohort, 3 patients demonstrated static extension of the wrist. Four failures occurred in the global palsy group. Children with absent active wrist extension after a brachial plexus birth injury can benefit from a tendon transfer. The more severe global palsy cases have a worse outcome.

Result of modified Outerbridge-Kashiwagi procedure for elbow flexion contractures in brachial plexus birth injury.

We report the results of ten consecutive patients who had correction of an elbow flexion contracture of greater than 30° in brachial plexus birth injury using a modified Outerbridge-Kashiwagi procedure. All patients had minimum 23-month follow-up. Pre- and post-operative elbow range of motion and DASH scores were recorded in all patients. The operative technique for the procedure and post-operative course is discussed. Surgery was supplemented by botulinum toxin injection into the biceps brachii muscle in most cases. The average age at surgery was 14 years 10 months. The initial plexus lesion was global in eight patients and upper in two. Pre-operative flexion contractures averaged 51° (range 35 to 60) and post-operative averaged 21° (range 15 to 30). Of these patients, one had no change in active flexion, four had loss of active flexion, and five had gain of active flexion. All ten patients were satisfied with their results and stated that they would recommend the procedure to other patients. Level of evidence: IV.

The Use of Botulinum Toxin Injection for Brachial Plexus Birth Injuries: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Most brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs) are caused by traction on the brachial plexus during a difficult delivery. Fortunately, the possibility of complete recovery from such an incident is relatively high, with only 10% to 30% of patients having prolonged and persistent disability. These patients have muscle imbalances and co-contractions typically localized around the shoulder and elbow. These imbalances and co-contractures cause abnormal motor performances and bone/joint deformities. Typically, physical/occupational therapies are the conventional therapeutic modalities but are often times inadequate. Botulinum toxin A (BTX-A) injections into targeted muscles have been used to combat the muscular imbalances and co-contractions. METHODS: With compliance to PRISMA guidelines, a systematic review was performed to identify studies published between 2000 and 2017 that used BTX-A to treat neonatal brachial plexus palsies. RESULTS: Ten studies were included, involving 325 patients. Three groups of indications for the use of BTX-A were identified: (1) internal rotation/adduction contracture of the shoulder; (2) elbow flexion lag/elbow extension lag; and (3) forearm pronation contracture. CONCLUSIONS: The included studies show an overall beneficial effect of BTX-A in treating co-contractures seen in patients with BPBI. Specifically, BTX-A is shown to reduce internal rotation/adduction contractures of the shoulder, elbow flexion/extension contractures, and forearm pronation contractures. These beneficial effects are blunted when used in older patients. Nevertheless, BTX-A is a useful treatment for BPBIs with a relatively low-risk profile.

Intravenous Glomus Tumor Masquerading as Lateral Antebrachial Cutaneous Neuroma.

Background: Intravenous glomus tumors are extremely rare. Methods: We report a patient with an intravenous glomus tumor within a venous aneurysm misdiagnosed as a neuroma of the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve, based on clinical exam, electrodiagnostic studies, and findings on a magnetic resonance imaging neurogram. Results: After surgical resection, the patient's symptoms, including pain and localized hypersensitivity, totally resolved. Conclusions: This case illustrates 2 important points. First, unlike extradigital glomus tumors, magnetic resonance imaging is not reliable in diagnosing intravenous glomus tumors. Second, in the presence of chronic localized neuroma type pain and sensitivity in the upper limb without a clear cause, an extradigital cutaneous or intravenous glomus tumor must be considered in the differential diagnosis.

Fetal deformations: a risk factor for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy?

The purpose of this report is to discuss the association of brachial plexus palsy and congenital deformations. We reviewed all charts of patients less than 1 year of age with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy evaluated by one of the authors (IA) between January 1998 and October 2005 at Miami Children's Hospital Brachial Plexus Center. Of 158 patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy, 7 had deformations (4.4%). Deformations were present in 32% of patients delivered by cesarean section, but in only 2% of patients delivered vaginally. The deformations were ipsilateral, involving the chest in two patients, distal arms in two patients, proximal arm in one patient, ear in one patient, and the leg in one patient. All patients with deformations had unilateral Erb's palsies. None had a history of maternal uterine malformation. Two presumptive mechanisms of injury, one causing the deformation (compressive forces) and one causing brachial plexus palsy at the time of delivery (traction forces), were present in all cases. The higher incidence of deformation in patients with obstetrical brachial plexus palsy born by cesarean sections and the presence of two presumptive mechanisms in all of the cases presented here raises the possibility that fetal deformations are a risk factor for obstetrical brachial plexus palsy.

Evaluation of Self-Concept and Emotional-Behavioral Functioning of Children with Brachial Plexus Birth Injury.

Background The reported incidence of brachial plexus birth injury (BPBI) is 0.87 to 2.2 per 1,000 live births. The psychological functioning, including self-concept and emotional-behavioral functioning, of children with BPBI has only been examined to a limited extent. Objective The purpose of this study was to describe the self-concept and emotional-behavioral functioning in children with BPBI from both the child's and parent's perspective. Methods Thirty-one children with BPBI, mean age 11 years 1 month, completed the Draw A Person: Screening Procedure for Emotional Disturbance (DAP:SPED) and Piers Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS). The parents answered questions from the Behavior Assessment System for Children, Parent Rating Scales (BASC-2 PRS). Results The scores from the DAP:SPED drawings showed further evaluation was not strongly indicated in the majority of the children. The PHCSCS Total score demonstrated that the children had a strongly positive self-concept. The parental responses to the BASC-2 PRS indicated that few children were at risk or in the clinically significant range for the four composite scores and all of the component clinical or adaptive scales. Gender comparison revealed females exhibited greater anxiety than males. Conclusion Both children and parents reported a positive psychological well-being for the majority of the children. Parents had greater concerns about their child's social-emotional functioning, particularly anxiety. An interdisciplinary approach (occupational therapy evaluation, clinical observation, and parental interview) is necessary to determine the need for mental health referral.

Outcome following nonoperative treatment of brachial plexus birth injuries.

Ninety-one infants who sustained a brachial plexus birth injury were treated with only physical and occupational therapy. The children were evaluated at 3-month intervals and followed for a minimum of 2 years. Sixty-three children with an upper or upper-middle plexus injury recovered good to excellent shoulder and hand function. In all of these children, critical marker muscles recovered M4 by 6 months of age. Twelve infants sustained a global palsy, with critical marker muscles remaining at M0-M1 at 6 months, resulting in a useless extremity. Sixteen infants with upper and upper-middle plexus injuries failed to recover greater than M1-M2 deltoid and biceps by 6 months, resulting in a very poor final outcome. These data provide useful guidelines for selection of infants for surgical reconstruction to improve ultimate outcome.

Cervicothoracic extradural arachnoid cyst: possible association with obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

The association of cervicothoracic extradural arachnoid cysts and obstetric brachial plexus palsy has not previously been reported. We report two patients with this association. The first patient is a 9-month-old boy with left obstetric brachial plexus palsy that developed bilateral leg weakness at 6 months of age owing to compression of the spinal cord by a C6 to T8 left cervicothoracic extradural arachnoid cyst. The second patient is a 3-year-old girl with bilateral brachial plexus palsy and spastic paraparesis who had magnetic resonance imaging at 3 days of age that showed intraspinal cord injury and a cervicothoracic extradural arachnoid cyst compressing the spinal cord. We believe that the association of cervicothoracic epidural arachnoid cysts and obstetric brachial plexus palsy in these patients was causal and recommend that the possibility of a cervicothoracic epidural arachnoid cyst be considered in patients with brachial plexus palsy and evidence of spinal cord injury.

Intrauterine shoulder weakness and obstetric brachial plexus palsy.

Obstetrical brachial plexus injury occurs when the forces preventing the stretch of the brachial plexus are overcome by the forces stretching it. This report describes an 8-day-old male delivered by uncomplicated cesarean section with right obstetrical brachial plexus palsy and congenital arm atrophy. The patient had a history of decreased right arm movement detected by fetal ultrasound at 18 to 20 weeks of gestation. The purpose of this article is to report that stretching of brachial plexus at birth sufficient to produce a plexus injury may occur in a patient with a vulnerable plexus even in the absence of traction during delivery.

Shoulder function following late neurolysis and bypass grafting for upper brachial plexus birth injuries.

Eleven children ranging in age from 9 to 21 months underwent late nerve reconstruction for persistent shoulder paralysis following an upper brachial plexus birth injury. Only neurolysis was performed in three patients. Neurolysis and nerve grafting bypassing the neuroma with proximal and distal end-to-side repairs was performed in the other eight. All patients were followed for 2 or more years. Two patients underwent a secondary procedure before their final follow-up evaluation. All infants demonstrated significant improvement when assessed by a modified Gilbert shoulder motion scale.

Lower extremity nerve trauma.

Peripheral nerve injuries of the lower extremity (LE) are frequently encountered in orthopaedic practice. They can be traumatic or iatrogenic. Proper and timely diagnosis and treatment are the keys to optimizing outcomes. This paper reviews and discusses the basic anatomy and physiology of nerve injury and the current literature on the incidence, pathogenesis, diagnosis, management and outcomes of sciatic, femoral, peroneal, and tibial nerve injuries. The purpose of this review is to suggest a protocol for evaluation and management of LE nerve injuries.

Multiple nerve injuries following repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture--case report and review of the literature.

Current repair of a distal biceps tendon rupture has reverted to the single incision technique. Postoperative complications are rare, but the most common are due to neuropraxia. We present the case of patient who sustained multiple nerve injuries following distal biceps repair. This case is presented with a review of the literature.

Subscapularis slide correction of the shoulder internal rotation contracture after brachial plexus birth injury: technique and outcomes.

Internal rotation contracture is the most common shoulder deformity in patients with brachial plexus birth injury. The purpose of this investigation is to describe the indications, technique, and results of the subscapularis slide procedure. The technique involves the release of the subscapularis muscle origin off the scapula, with preservation of anterior shoulder structures. A standard postoperative protocol is used in all patients and includes a modified shoulder spica with the shoulder held in 60 degrees of external rotation and 30 degrees of abduction, aggressive occupational and physical therapy, and subsequent shoulder manipulation under anesthesia with botulinum toxin injections as needed. Seventy-one patients at 2 institutions treated with subscapularis slide between 1997 and 2010, with minimum follow-up of 39.2 months, were identified. Patients were divided into 5 groups based on the index procedure performed: subscapularis slide alone (group 1); subscapularis slide with a simultaneous microsurgical reconstruction (group 2); primary microsurgical brachial plexus reconstruction followed later by a subscapularis slide (group 3); primary microsurgical brachial plexus reconstruction followed later by a subscapularis slide combined with tendon transfers for shoulder external rotation (group 4); and subscapularis slide with simultaneous tendon transfers, with no prior brachial plexus surgery (group 5). Full passive external rotation equivalent to the contralateral side was achieved in the operating room in all cases. No cases resulted in anterior instability or internal rotation deficit. Internal rotation contracture of the shoulder after brachial plexus birth injury can be effectively managed with the technique of subscapularis slide.

Practical magnetic resonance imaging evaluation of peripheral nerves in children: magnetic resonance neurography.

Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging is an excellent tool for the evaluation of peripheral nerves in children not only because of its excellent soft tissue contrast resolution but also because it is noninvasive and does not use ionizing radiation. In nonconclusive cases, MR neurography can be complementary to physical examination and electromyography in identifying a specific affected nerve and the site of the lesion. This article reviews the MR imaging technique used in the evaluation of peripheral nerves (ie, MR neurography), its major indications, and the common pathologic conditions encountered in the pediatric population.