[Evoked potentials in the diagnosis of traumatic lesions of the brachial plexus].

The level of damage to the brachial plexus in different forms of trauma was appraised in 106 patients with traction trauma of the plexus by means of evoked potentials (EP)--short-latent somatosensory EP and EP of peripheral sensory nerves. Whether the plexus was damaged on the pre- or postganglionic level was the main question. The corresponding changes of the electrophysiological values characterizing pre- or postganglionic level of the damage to the plexus were noted, they were verified during the operation. Correlation of the electrophysiological values and the results of myeloradiculography was revealed. Electrophysiological diagnosis is most informative in damage to the plexus at one level (pre- or postganglionic, total or partial) and in combined damages (when some radices are injured on the pre- and others on the postganglionic level). The diagnosis of multiple injuries to the plexus based only on electrophysiological methods is impossible; only one level of the damage is diagnosed.