Obstetrical brachial plexus injuries: a MRI diagnostic approach

Purpose: To demonstrate the utility of Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging in the evaluation of the obstetric injuries of the brachial plexus. Material and methods: 23 patients with semiology of brachial plexus palsy have been evaluated with high field MR. Patients were evaluated with a brain coil in axial, oblique coronal and sagittal planes with T1, T2 and STIR sequences. Results: In four patients (17%) the study was normal. In 19 patients (83%) we got pathological findings (pseudomeningoceles, neuromas, tumour and arachnoid cyst). Conclusion: The MR is a non-invasive method that permits to determinate the site and range of the brachial plexus damage, allowing to plan therapy. (author)