ABSTRACT
Brachial plexus trauma is a common clinical entity in small animal practice and prognostic indicators are essential early in the course of the disease. Magnetic stimulation of the radial nerve and consequent recording of the magnetic motor evoked potential (MMEP) was examined in 36 dogs and 17 cats with unilateral brachial plexus trauma. Absence of deep pain perception (DPP), ipsilateral loss of panniculus reflex, partial Horner's syndrome and a poor response to MMEP were related to the clinical outcome in 29 of the dogs and 13 of the cats. For all animals, a significant difference was found in MMEP between the normal and the affected limb. Absence of DPP and unilateral loss of the panniculus reflex were indicative of an unsuccessful outcome in dogs. Additionally, the inability to evoke a MMEP was associated with an unsuccessful outcome in all animals. It was concluded that magnetic stimulation of the radial nerve in dogs and cats with brachial plexus trauma may provide an additional diagnostic and prognostic tool.
Subject(s)
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies/veterinary , Brachial Plexus/injuries , Cat Diseases/diagnosis , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Magnetic Field Therapy/veterinary , Radial Neuropathy/veterinary , Animals , Brachial Plexus Neuropathies/diagnosis , Brachial Plexus Neuropathies/therapy , Cat Diseases/therapy , Cats , Diagnosis, Differential , Dog Diseases/therapy , Dogs , Evoked Potentials, Motor/physiology , Female , Male , Neural Conduction/physiology , Prognosis , Radial Nerve , Radial Neuropathy/diagnosis , Radial Neuropathy/therapy , Sensation/physiology , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
A female patient visited our hospital with abdominal pain and anemia. Examination for a gastrointestinal disease gave no diagnostic information. Laboratory studies of the parameters of heme biosynthesis revealed an enzymatic inhibition by lead. The diagnosis of lead poisoning was confirmed by detection of an elevated blood lead level. Excessive lead ingestion was thought to be caused by herbal medicines and/or by an earthen teapot.