The MRI diagnosis of infant brachial plexus injury / 实用放射学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective To evaluate the value of MRI in diagnosis of brachial plexus injury in infants.Methods MRI manifestations and electromyography(EMG) data of 14 cases were analyzed retrospectively.Kappa statistic was used to analyze the consistency between the two methods.Results Pure preganglionic injuries were found in 5 cases,preganglionic and postganglionic combined injuries occurred in 9 cases.MRI features of preganglionic injuries includeabsence of roots in spinal canal (7 cases),nerve root enlargement (1 case),nerve sleeve dilation (3 cases),pseudomeningoceles (5 cases) and the dura thickening (3 cases).MRI features of postganglionic injuries includetrunk thickening with hyperintensity in STIR images(14 cases),adjacent structure disorder and edema (1 cases).The consistency of MRI and EMG was good (κ=0.752,P＜0.05).Conclusion MRI is an efficient method for demonstrating preganglionic and postganglionic injuries,and can provide reliable information for early diagnosis and treatment for brachial plexus injury in infants.