Brachial plexopathy in infants after traumatic delivery: evaluation with MR imaging.

PURPOSE

To determine the value of magnetic resonance (MR) imaging in diagnosing traumatic pseudomeningocele.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Five newborn infants with brachial plexopathy secondary to traumatic delivery underwent MR imaging of the spine and serial neurologic examinations, and the findings were compared.

RESULTS

Cervical MR images showed focal collections of cerebrospinal fluid lateral to the spinal cord and extending into the neural foramina. These were believed to represent pseudomeningoceles in four infants, all of whom have persistent major neurologic deficits. The infant with normal cervical MR images has had nearly complete spontaneous recovery.

CONCLUSION

Spinal MR images can show pseudomeningoceles, which have been associated with partial or complete nerve root avulsion in infants with birth-related brachial plexopathy.