Imaging of the non-traumatic brachial plexus

Diagn Interv Imaging. 2013 Oct;94(10):945-56. doi: 10.1016/j.diii.2013.06.015. Epub 2013 Jul 23.

Abstract

The first line imaging of the non-traumatic brachial plexus is by MRI. Knowledge of the anatomy and commonest variants is essential. Three Tesla imaging offers the possibility of 3D isotropic sequences with excellent spatial and contrast enhancement resolutions, which leads to time saving and quality boosting. The most commonly seen conditions are benign tumor lesions and radiation damage. Gadolinium is required to assess inflammatory or tumour plexopathy. MRI data should be correlated with FDG-PET if tumor recurrence is suspected.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; MRI; Plexopathy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Brachial Plexus / injuries
  • Brachial Plexus / pathology*
  • Brachial Plexus / radiation effects
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / diagnosis*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / pathology
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18*
  • Humans
  • Image Enhancement / methods*
  • Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted / methods*
  • Imaging, Three-Dimensional / methods*
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / diagnosis
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / diagnosis
  • Nerve Compression Syndromes / pathology
  • Neurilemmoma / diagnosis
  • Neurilemmoma / pathology
  • Neurofibroma / diagnosis
  • Neurofibroma / pathology
  • Neurologic Examination
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Peripheral Nervous System Neoplasms / pathology
  • Positron-Emission Tomography / methods*
  • Radiation Injuries / diagnosis
  • Radiation Injuries / pathology
  • Reference Values
  • Sensitivity and Specificity
  • Syndrome
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / diagnosis
  • Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / pathology

Substances

  • Fluorodeoxyglucose F18