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Lesão no plexo braquial

Last reviewed: 21 Jul 2025
Last updated: 28 Jan 2022

Summary

Definition

History and exam

Key diagnostic factors

  • presença de fatores de risco
  • presença de politraumatismo/lesões múltiplas
  • paralisia do ombro
  • paralisia do bíceps
  • dormência nos dígitos radiais da mão e no ombro
  • paralisia do tríceps
  • paralisia do punho/dos extensores dos dedos
  • membro instável/insensível
  • ausência de reflexos tendinosos
Full details

Risk factors

  • acidente com veículo automotor
  • neurofibromatose
  • posicionamento incorreto durante cirurgia
  • idade <50 anos
  • sexo masculino
  • Síndrome de Parsonage-Turner
  • tumores (primários e metastáticos)
  • anomalias nas costelas
  • distúrbios metabólicos
Full details

Diagnostic investigations

1st investigations to order

  • Eletromiografia
Full details

Investigations to consider

  • RNM
  • mielografia/tomografia computadorizada (TC)
Full details

Emerging tests

  • Ultrassonografia

Treatment algorithm

ACUTE

lesão das raízes do tronco superior (C5-6) com ou sem lesão da raiz do tronco médio (C7)

lesão isolada da raiz inferior (C8-T1)

lesão por avulsão total da raiz (C5-T1)

Contributors

Authors

Rahul K. Nath, MD
Rahul K. Nath

Director

Texas Nerve and Paralysis Institute

Houston

TX

Disclosures

RKN is an author of a number of references cited in this topic.

Peer reviewers

Abdelouahed Amrani, MD

Professor

Children's Hospital

Rabat

Morocco

Disclosures

AA declares that he has no competing interests.

S. Raja Sabapathy, MS, MCh, DNB, FRCS, MAMS

Director and Head

Department of Plastic, Hand and Reconstructive Microsurgery and Burns

Ganga Hospital

Coimbatore

India

Disclosures

SRS declares that he has no competing interests.

References

Our in-house evidence and editorial teams collaborate with international expert contributors and peer reviewers to ensure that we provide access to the most clinically relevant information possible.

Key articles

Nath RK, Lyons AB, Bietz G. Physiological and clinical advantages of median nerve fascicle transfer to the musculocutaneous nerve following brachial plexus root avulsion injury. J Neurosurg. 2006;105:1-5. Abstract

American College of Radiology. ACR appropriateness criteria: plexopathy. 2021 [internet publication].Full text

Reference articles

A full list of sources referenced in this topic is available to users with access to all of BMJ Best Practice.
  • Differentials

    • Fraqueza funcional ou psicogênica (por exemplo, perda unilateral da função motora ou parkinsonismo psicogênico)
    • Esclerose lateral amiotrófica (ELA)
    • Lesão no cérebro ou na medula espinhal
    More Differentials
  • Guidelines

    • ACR appropriateness criteria: plexopathy
    • Shoulder dystocia
    More Guidelines
  • Patient information

    Lesão por chicote

    Lesão do manguito rotador

    More Patient information
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