MRI OF THE BRACHIAL-PLEXUS AND ITS REGION - ANATOMY AND PATHOLOGY

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brachial plexus and its region has become the imaging modality of choice, due to its multiplanar cap abilities and inherent contrast differences between the brachial plexu s, related vessels, and surrounding fat. A total of 41 patients with c linically suspected brachial plexus pathology or tumors in its region were studied. A normal anatomy was found in 12 patients. Pathologic en tities included: traumatic nerve-root avulsion (n = 2), hematoma (n = 1), postoperative changes after scalenotomy (n = 2), primary tumor of the brachial plexus (n = 2), primary (n = 8) and metastatic (n = 1) tu mors in the superior sulcus, primary (n = 5) and metastatic (n = 4) tu mors in the axillary, supra- or infraclavicular region, and changes af ter nodal dissection and radiation therapy for breast carcinoma (n = 5 ; 1 patient also had had a prior scalenotomy). There was a positive co rrelation with surgery in 11 patients, and a negative correlation in 1 patient.