Skip to main content
Log in

T1 Radiculopathy: Electrodiagnostic Evaluation

  • Electrodiagnostic Corner
  • Published:
HSS Journal

Abstract

Electromyography (EMG) studies are useful in the anatomical localization of nerve injuries and, in most cases, isolating lesions to a single nerve root level. Their utility is important in identifying specific nerve-root-level injuries where surgical or interventional procedures may be warranted. In this case report, an individual presented with right upper extremity radicular symptoms consistent with a clinical diagnosis of cervical radiculopathy. EMG studies revealed that the lesion could be more specifically isolated to the T1 nerve root and, furthermore, provided evidence that the abductor pollicis brevis receives predominantly T1 innervation.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Fig. 1

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Murphey F, Simmons JC, Brunson B (1973) Surgical treatment of laterally ruptured cervical disc. Review of 648 cases, 1939 to 1972. J Neurosurg 38:679–683

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Levin KH (2002) Electrodiagnostic approach to the patient with suspected radiculopathy. Neurol. Clin N Am 20:397–421

    Google Scholar 

  3. Levin KH, Maggiano HJ, Wilbourn AJ (1996) Cervical radiculopathies: comparison of surgical and EMG localization of single-root lesions. Neurology 46:1022–1025

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  4. Levin KH (1999) Neurologic manifestations of compressive radiculopathy of the first thoracic root. Neurology. 53:1149–1151

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  5. Levin KH, Wilbourn AJ, Maggiano HJ (1998) Cervical rib and median sternotomy-related brachial plexopathies: a reassessment. Neurology 50:1407–1413

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  6. Wilbourn AJ, Ferrante MA (2000) Clinical electromyography. In: Joynt RJ, Griggs RC (eds) Baker’s clinical neurology on CDROM. Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, Philadelphia, pp 7592–8248. record

    Google Scholar 

  7. Wilbourn AJ (1985) Electrodiagnosis of plexopathies. Neuro Clin 3:511–529

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  8. Ferrante MA, Wilbourn AJ (2002) Electrodiagnostic approach to the patient with suspected brachial plexopathy. Neurol Clin N Am 20:423–450

    Google Scholar 

  9. Alberico AM, Sahni KS, Hall JA Jr et al (1986) High thoracic disc herniation. Neurosurgery 19:449–451

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  10. Arce CA, Dohrmann GJ (1985) Herniated thoracic disks. Neurol Clin 3:383–392

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  11. Singounas EG, Kypriades EM, Kellerman AJ et al (1992) Thoracic disc herniation. Analysis of 14 cases and review of the literature. Acta Neurochir (Wien) 116:49–52

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  12. Awwad EE, Martin DS, Smith KR et al (1991) Asymptomatic versus symptomatic herniated thoracic discs: their frequency and characteristics as detected by computed tomography after myelography. Neurosurgery 28:180–186

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  13. Brown CW, Deffer PA Jr, Akmakjian J et al (1992) The natural history of thoracic disc herniation. Spine 17:s97–s102

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  14. Blumenkopf B (1988) Thoracic intervertebral disc herniations: diagnostic value of magnetic resonance imaging. Neurosurgery 23:36–40

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  15. Tahmouresie A (1980) Herniated thoracic intervertebral disc—an unusual presentation: case report. Neurosurgery 7:623–625

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  16. Videman T, Battié MC, Gill K et al (1995) Magnetic resonance imaging findings and their relationships in the thoracic and lumbar spine. Insights into the etiopathogenesis of spinal degeneration. Spine 20:928–935

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  17. Arce CA, Dohrmann GJ (1985) Thoracic disc herniation. Improved diagnosis with computed tomographic scanning and a review of the literature. Surg Neurol 23:356–361

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. O’Connor RC, Andary MT, Russo RB et al (2002) Thoracic radiculopathy. Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am 13:623–644

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. McInerney J, Ball PA (2000) The pathophysiology of thoracic disc disease. Neurosurg Focus 9:1–8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  20. Stillerman CB, Chen TC, Couldwell WT et al (1988) Experience in the surgical management of 82 symptomatic herniated thoracic discs and review of the literature. J Neurosurg 88:623–633

    Google Scholar 

  21. Post NH, Cooper PR, Frempong-Boadu AK et al (2006) Unique features of herniated discs at the cervicothoracic junction: clinical presentation, imaging, operative management, and outcome after anterior decompressive operation in 10 patients. Neurosurgery 58:497–501

    PubMed  Google Scholar 

  22. Parke WW (1982) Biomechanics of the spine. In: Rothman RH, Simeone FA (eds) The Spine, 2nd edn, vol 1. Saunders, Philadelphia, pp 47–49

    Google Scholar 

  23. Takagi H, Kawaguchi Y, Kanamori M et al (2002) T1–2 disc herniation following an en bloc cervical laminoplasty. J Ortho Sci 7:495–497

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Frecerro D, Donovan DJ (2005) Adjacent segment degeneration at T1–T2 presenting as chest pain: case report. Spine 30:E655–E657

    Article  Google Scholar 

  25. Negoveti L, Cerina V, Sajko T et al (2001) Intradural disc herniation at the T1–T2 level. Croat Med J 42:193–195

    Google Scholar 

  26. Nakahara S, Sato T (1995) First thoracic disc herniation with myelopathy. Eur Spine J 4:366–367

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  27. Caner H, Kilinçoglu BF, Benli S et al (2003) Magnetic resonance image findings and surgical considerations in T1–2 disc herniation. Can J Neuro 30:152–154

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  28. Gelch MM (1978) Herniated thoracic disc at T1–2 level associated with Horner’s syndrome. Case report. J Neurosurg 48:128–129

    PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  29. Morgan H, Abood C (1998) Disc herniation at T1–2. Report of four cases and literature review. J Neurosurg 88:148–150

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  30. Lyu RK, Chang HS, Tang LM et al (1999) Thoracic disc herniation mimicking acute lumbar disc disease. Spine 24:416–418

    Article  PubMed  CAS  Google Scholar 

  31. Lloyd TV, Johnson JC, Paul DJ et al (1980) Horner’s syndrome secondary to herniated disc at T1–T2. Am J Roentgenol 134:184–185

    CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Joseph H. Feinberg MD, MS.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Radecki, J., Feinberg, J.H. & Zimmer, Z.R. T1 Radiculopathy: Electrodiagnostic Evaluation. HSS Jrnl 5, 73–77 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-008-9105-4

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11420-008-9105-4

Keywords

Navigation