Abstract
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brachial plexus and its region has become the imaging modality of choice, due to its multiplanar capabilities and inherent contrast differences between the brachial plexus, related vessels, and surrounding fat. A total of 41 patients with clinically suspected brachial plexus pathology or tumors in its region were studied. A normal anatomy was found in 12 patients. Pathologic entities included: traumatic nerve-root avulsion (n=2), hematoma (n=1), postoperative changes after scalenotomy (n=2), primary tumor of the brachial plexus (n=2), primary (n=8) and metastatic (n=1) tumors in the superior sulcus, primary (n=5) and metastatic (n=4) tumors in the axillary, supra- or infraclavicular region, and changes after nodal dissection and radiation therapy for breast carcinoma (n=5; 1 patient also had had a prior scalenotomy). There was a positive correlation with surgery in 11 patients, and a negative correlation in 1 patient.
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Correspondence to: H. W. van Es
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van Es, H.W., Witkamp, T.D. & Feldberg, M.A.M. MRI of the brachial plexus and its region: anatomy and pathology. Eur. Radiol. 5, 145–151 (1995). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00957109
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00957109