The prevalence of spinal trauma associated with brachial plexus injuries.

Abstract

Severe closed traction lesions to the adult brachial plexus are caused by high energy transfer injuries, in which injuries to other systems are common. Of the 149 patients urgently operated on for lesions of the brachial plexus between 1 June 1997 and 1999, 18 (12%) suffered significant injury to the spinal column. Accurate diagnosis of the spinal injury was made in 13 cases of these before transfer to our unit.The injury to the spine was not necessarily a contraindication to urgent exploration of the brachial plexus.