Chronic demyelinating hypertrophic brachial plexus neuropathy

A patient with unilateral, painless, chronic progressive upper limb sensori motor deficit showed electrophysiological evidence of a focal demyelinating neuropathy with almost complete conduction block across the brachial plexu s. Magnetic resonance imaging disclosed marked brachial plexus hypertrophy. Intravenous immunoglobulin led to fast and complete recovery, maintained b y intermittent perfusions. Hypertrophic brachial plexus neuropathy can be a presentation of focal chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyradiculoneuro pathy. Objective and quantitative assessment of hand function is useful to evaluate treatment results and to optimize treatment regimens. (C) 2000 Joh n Wiley & Sons, Inc.