Brachial plexopathy

Injury	Disease	Nutrition	Poison

Symptoms	Surgery	Test	Special Topic

Central nervous system

Brachial plexopathy

Definition:

Brachial plexopathy is decreased movement or sensation in the arm and shoulder, caused by impaired function of the brachial plexus (a bundle of nerves that control sensation and movement of the arm).

Alternative Names:
Neuropathy - brachial plexus; Brachial plexus dysfunction
Causes, incidence, and risk factors:

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Brachial plexus dysfunction (brachial plexopathy) is a form of peripheral neuropathy. It occurs when there is damage to the brachial plexus, an area where a nerve bundle from the spinal cord splits into the individual arm nerves.

Damage to the brachial plexus is usually related to direct trauma to the nerve, stretch injury, pressure from tumors in the area of the brachial plexus, or damage that results from radiation therapy (therapy for some forms of cancer, such as lung cancer).

It may be related to congenital abnormalities that cause pressure on the cervical (neck) ribs and may also sometimes be associated with exposure to toxins, chemicals, or drugs.

Rarely, it is caused by an inflammatory condition. In some cases, no cause can be identified. The mechanical factors (pressure) may be complicated by ischemia (lack of oxygen caused by decreased blood flow) in the area.