J Korean Fract Soc.  2020 Jan;33(1):22-26. 10.12671/jkfs.2020.33.1.22.

Brachial Plexus Neuropathy after Revision of Clavicular Fracture Nonunion: A Case Report

• Kim Y
• Choo SK
• Jeon N

• KMID: 2468670
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.12671/jkfs.2020.33.1.22

Abstract

We performed a revisionary open reduction and internal fixation for treating nonunion of the mid-shaft of the left clavicle with an autogenous cancellous bone graft. On postoperative day 4, the patient presented with neurologic deficits in the left upper extremity. We removed the implant and made a superior angulation to decompress the brachial plexus. At 6 months postoperatively, callus bridging and consolidation were visible and all hand and elbow functions were fully recovered. Our case suggests that brachial plexus neuropathy may be caused by stretching and compression after reduction and straightening of the nonunion site around adhesions or scar tissue. Therefore, care should be taken whether there are the risk factors that can cause brachial plexus neuropathy when revision surgery is performed for treating nonunion of a clavicle shaft fracture.

Keyword

Clavicle; Nonunion; Brachial plexus neuropathy

MeSH Terms

Bony Callus
Brachial Plexus Neuropathies*
Brachial Plexus*
Cicatrix
Clavicle
Elbow
Hand
Humans
Neurologic Manifestations
Risk Factors
Transplants
Upper Extremity

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Immediate postoperative left clavicle anteroposterior view after the first surgery.

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  Fig. 2 Immediate postoperative left clavicle anteroposterior view after the first surgery.

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  Fig. 3 Fibrotic mass lesion margin (white arrows) around the small bony fragment (white arrowheads) inferior to the clavicle, which compressed the adjacent brachial plexus and caused signal changes within the brachial plexus (white circle) on the (A) cervical spine T2 coronal image, (B) cervical spine T1 coronal image, and (C) cervical spine T1 enhanced coronal image.

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  Fig. 4 (A) Immediate postoperative radiograph after the second surgery. Callus bridging is seen on the 3-month follow-up radiograph (B) and consolidation processing on the 6-month follow-up radiograph (C).

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