Brachial plexopathy in cancer pts

Question 1

features of brachial plexopathy

Answer 1

form of peripheral neuropathy from the brachioplexus

Question 2

signs suggestive of cancer involvement with brachial plexopathy:

Answer 2

severe pain in brachioplexus
pain occurs early in symptom course
affects lower brachial plexus
see Horner’s syndrome +/-

Question 3

Suggestive of radiation injury in brachial plexopathy

Answer 3

less painful
pain occurs later in symptom course
affects upper brachial plexus
more paresthesias and weakness
fasciculations and myokymia on EMG

Question 4

brachial plexopathy can occur from

Answer 4

direct invasion of cancer or radiation therapy.

See gradual weakness in brachial plexus distribution