Introduction Improving safety and efficiency in the operating room has been the driving force behind technological advancements within the surgical suite. Development of minimally invasive surgical techniques has played a large role in this endeavor, with the first minimally invasive…
Synopsis The vast majority of brachial plexus birth injuries (BPBIs) are caused by traction to the brachial plexus during labor. The incidence of BPBI is about 1 to 2 per 1000 births. Typically, the C5 and C6 spinal nerves are…
Thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS) refers to a group of complex symptoms in the upper extremity caused by compression of the brachial plexus, the subclavian artery, and the subclavian vein between the interscalene triangle and the inferior border of the axilla.…
The incidence of traumatic cranial nerve injury is approximately 5% to 23%. Nontraumatic and iatrogenic injuries are not uncommon. Cranial nerve injuries are caused by direct impact or indirect transference of energy from the skull base and/or bony elements surrounding…
In the United States, it is estimated that annually six out of every 1 million people undergo surgery for peripheral nerve tumors. The neurosurgeon is often consulted to diagnose and manage tumors involving the peripheral nerves of the extremities. Intraneural…
Introduction In 1887, Sir Victor Horsley performed the first successful surgical excision of a spinal intradural extramedullary (IDEM) tumor, which was diagnosed by William Gower. Since then, advances in imaging, anesthesia, surgical techniques, and monitoring have made surgical resection of…
Nerve compression is a common cause of spontaneous neurologic dysfunction. The term “entrapment neuropathy” should be used only to describe situations in which a small addition to the content of an already crowded osteomuscular channel causes compression, constriction, or distortion…
Compression of the ulnar nerve is a well-known cause of neurologic dysfunction. Compression at the elbow (cubital tunnel syndrome) is the second most common entrapment neuropathy (only carpal tunnel is more common). Ulnar nerve compression at the wrist (within Guyon’s…
Introduction to Median Nerve Compression Due to their superficial locations, close relationship to neighboring muscles and tendons, and often long and meandering courses, peripheral nerves are frequently subject to physical forces that may result, if applied chronically, in functional impairment…
Traumatic brachial plexus injuries (BPIs) produce psychologically and functionally devastating handicaps afflicting, generally, a subset of young, healthy males in the prime of life. Seventy percent are caused by motor vehicle accidents, of which 70% are due to the use…