Cervicobrachial involvement in diabetic radiculoplexopathy

Citation
Js. Katz et al., Cervicobrachial involvement in diabetic radiculoplexopathy, MUSCLE NERV, 24(6), 2001, pp. 794-798
Citations number
19
Categorie Soggetti
da verificare
Journal title
MUSCLE & NERVE
ISSN journal
0148639X → ACNP
Volume
24
Issue
6
Year of publication
2001
Pages
794 - 798
Database
ISI
SICI code
0148-639X(200106)24:6<794:CIIDR>2.0.ZU;2-Z
Abstract
Diabetic radiculoplexopathy is commonly viewed as a condition affecting the lower extremities. However, other regions may also be affected and the pre sence of upper extremity involvement has rarely been emphasized. Our goal w as to illustrate the clinical features of arm involvement in this condition . Of 60 patients with diabetic lumbosacral radiculoplexopathy, we identifie d 9 who also had upper extremity involvement. The study included 8 men and 1 woman, ranging in age from 36 to 71 years, Upper limb involvement develop ed simultaneously with the onset of lower limb disorder in 1 patient, prece ded it by 2 months in another patient, and occurred between 3 weeks and 15 months later in the remaining 7. In 5 cases, arm involvement developed afte r symptoms in the legs began to improve. The upper extremity weakness affec ted the hands and forearms most severely. It was unilateral in 5 patients a nd bilateral but asymmetric in 4. Pain was often present, but it was not a prominent feature, In most patients, neurologic deficits in the arms improv ed spontaneously after 2-9 months. We conclude that diabetic radiculoplexop athy may involve the cervical region before, after, or simultaneously with the lumbosacral syndrome, The upper limb process is similar to that in the legs, with subacutely progressive weakness and pain followed by spontaneous recovery. (C) 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.