HOW IS BRACHIAL PLEXUS INJURY DIAGNOSED?
Due to the complex spectrum of brachial plexus injuries, a detailed and comprehensive understanding of the exact nature of injury in each patient is required for proper management. Multiple modalities are utilized to diagnose a brachial plexus injury including clinical examination, electrodiagnostic studies (EMG, NCV, SNAP,SSEP) and imaging studies (CT, MRI). These studies may need to be repeated on a regular basis to track the progression of recovery of function. Used in combination, these modalities provide valuable insights into the elements of the brachial plexus that have been injured and some information about the severity of the injury.
