Brachial plexopathy: radiotherapy versus tumour differentiation
Written and reviewed by Dr Ibrahim Imam, Consultant Neurologist. Last reviewed .
Brachial plexopathy: radiotherapy versus tumour differentiation. Radiotherapy-induced more often affects the upper trunk. It is associated with less pain.
Clinical differentiation: features suggesting radiation
- Radiotherapy-induced more often affects the upper trunk
- It is associated with less pain
- Horner’s syndrome is less frequent
- It has a longer delay before onset
- There are no tumours on imaging
- It more often involves the upper trunk of the brachial plexus
- There is no lymphoedema
- There are no cutaneous radiation changes
EMG differentiation: features suggesting radiation
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References
- Antoine JC, Camdessanche JP. Peripheral nervous system involvement in patients with cancer. Lancet Neurol 2007; 6:75-86.
- Gosk J, Rutowski R, Reichert P, Rabczyński J. Radiation-induced brachial plexus neuropathy - aetiopathogenesis, risk factors, differential diagnostics, symptoms and treatment. Folia Neuropathol 2007; 45:26-30.
