Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the role of 3T Magnetic Resonance Imaging in evaluation of brachial plexus.
Methods: The Descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted at Dr. D. Y. Patil Medical College and Hospital and Research Centre, Pimpri, Pune.  Sixty-eight patients who had undergone brachial plexus MRI from August 2020 to September 2022 duration were included in the study.
Results: Out of 68 patients, the most common age group was 20-40 (55.9%) and majority were male patients (73.5%). Out of 68 patients, brachial plexus was found to be abnormal on MRI in 40 patients (58.8%) with unilateral involvement in 36 patients (90%) and bilateral involvement in 4 patients (10%). The most common pathology was brachial plexus injury, found in 25 cases (36.7%), followed by root compression in 9 cases (13.2%), parsonage turner syndrome in 5 cases (13.2%), primary brachial plexus tumors in 5 cases (7.3%) and secondary involvement of brachial plexus by metastases in 2 cases (2.9%). Fibrosis was seen in 3 cases (4.4%). On level wise analysis of brachial plexus involvement, the trunks were involved in 26 patients (38.2%), divisions were involved in 21 patients (30.9%), cords were involved in 22 patients (32.4%) and terminal branches were involved in 19 patients (27.9%). Pre-ganglionic root injury was found in 3 cases (4.4%), while 8 cases each of post-ganglionic root injury (11.7%) and pre plus post-ganglionic root injury (11.7%) were seen. On MRI and NVC/EMG correlation, MRI was found to be 94.7% sensitive and 90% specific for brachial plexopathies.
Conclusion: 3T MRI of brachial plexus provides valuable information regarding the morphology, location and extent of both traumatic and non-traumatic brachial plexopathies