J Korean Neurol Assoc.  2004 Dec;22(6):604-608.

Features of the Peripheral Nerve Injury in Patients with High Voltage Electrical Burn

• Minn YK
• Cho SJ
• Kwon KH
• Park HS
• Sung YH
• Yu KH
• Ma HI

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The peripheral nerve is known to be vulnerable to electrical injury. However, the character and mechanism of electrical injury to the peripheral nerve is not well established in clinical conditions. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the nerve conduction study (NCS) data of patients who had high voltage electrical injury in their upper extremities. RESULTS: Among 16 extremities studied, nine had abnormal NCS findings. Nine of 12 extremities, whose input/output were distal to wrist, showed abnormal NCS findings. In contrast, all four extremities, whose input/output points were their forearm, had normal NCS findings. In the patients who had abnormal NCS findings, the distal portion experienced more severe damage than the proximal portion. CONCLUSIONS: Input/output points are important factors in the electrical injury to the peripheral nerve. Joule heating seems to be a more important mechanism of electrical peripheral nerve injury.

Keyword

Electrical burn; Peripheral nerve; Nerve conduction study

MeSH Terms

Burns*
Extremities
Forearm
Heating
Hot Temperature
Humans
Neural Conduction
Peripheral Nerve Injuries*
Peripheral Nerves*
Retrospective Studies
Upper Extremity
Wrist