Brachial plexus injury following axillary arteriography. Case report and review of the literature.

A case of brachial plexus injury following axillary arteriography is reported. Electrodiagnostic studies localized the lesion to the region of the puncture site. Review of the literature indicates that neural injury is due to a localized hematoma or pseudoaneurysm at the site of arterial puncture. Surgical decompression of the brachial plexus within 24 hours of the onset of motor dysfunction results in a much improved prognosis. Clinical findings that help to differentiate between postoperative traction injury and brachial plexus injury following axillary arteriography are discussed.