Table 1.
Demographics
| Patient | Gender | Side | NCV/EMG/MRI/CT/Patient Reports | Conservative and Nonsurgical Previous Treatments | Age at Surgery | Follow-up (y) | Cause of the Injury |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Woman | R | Normal sensory and motor responses. Acute denervation and neurogenic changes in the pronator and the SA. Labrum tear, undersurface tear of the anterior distal supraspinatus tendon. | Physical therapy and home therapy. Visited a chiropractioner | 50.5 | 3.8 | Motor vehicle accident |
| 2 | Woman | R | Right upper-extremity pinching sensation & pain. Right LTN neuropathy. | Was taking Betamax and Celebrex | 29.7 | 3.0 | Lifting weight at work (work comp); labrum tears; had 2 previous surgeries |
| 3 | Woman | L & R | The absence of activation in the right SA is likely long-standing and complete LTN neuropathy. | Physical therapy | 21.8 | 10.0 | Tennis |
| 4 | Woman | R | NCV and EMG reports given were suggestive and not diagnostics of the injury. | Diclofenac 50 mg bid | 15.4 | 2.5 | Softball player |
| 5 | Man | L & R | 2+ fibrillations in the left SA, and rare fibrillations in the right. Was 1+ scarcity of motor unit recruitment at the left SA. | Pain management | 23.2 | 8.0 | Weightlifting |
| 6 | Woman | Reduced conduction velocity in the right ulnar motor nerve. Moderately severe right LTN neuropathy, and right ulnar neuropathy. Abnormal study. Right LTN neuropathy Proximal median mononeuropathy. | Creatine monohydrate 5 g daily | 24.5 | 2.2 | Weightlifting | |
| 7 | Woman | R | EDX study normal for this age. Clinical correlation and causes of winging scapula were needed. | Was on internal electric device, and taking Coumadin, Lovenox, heparin, and Mestinon | 13.0 | 3.1 | Competitive dancer |
| 8 | Woman | R | Mildly increased signal was seen at the mid and anterior aspect of the supraspinatus tendon. Tendonitis was suspected. | Physical therapy | 11.9 | 2.0 | Soccer |
| 9 | Man | R | Overall, the significant dysfunction of the right BP most prominently affects the right LTN and a significantly lesser extent of the right median nerve. | 45.0 | 2.5 | Chiropractic visit, cervical traction | |
| 10 | Man | R | C6/C7/T1/C8 nerve root laminectomy, C5/C6 fusion. | 2 soft-tissue trigger point procedures | 55.5 | 2.0 | C6/C7/T1/C8 nerve root laminectomy, C5/C6 fusion and pacemaker |
| 11 | Man | R | Chronic LTN injury with 2+/4 denervation with minimal reinnervation. Reversal of the cervical lordosis centered at C5–C6. Limited exam due to the patient’s motion and pulsation artifacts. | Physical therapy | 22.8 | 2.1 | Exercise |
| 12 | Woman | R | Chronic appearing LTN neuropathy. The study was limited due to the patient’s pain. | Completed 1-y rehabilitation | 14.6 | 3.0 | Cheerleading |
| 13 | Man | L | Abnormal spontaneous activity and high amplitude units in the left C5–C6 innervated muscles, although Paraspinal muscles were spared. Motor units showed a long duration left the upper trunk of BP versus C5–C6 root injury. Involvements of proximal muscles and normal sensory responses suggest root injury. | 33.3 | Ulnar and radial nerve tumor excisions in the past | ||
| 14 | Woman | R | LTN neuropathy, RUE, mild to moderate. | Methadone 5 mg per day, and Lortab as needed | 36.1 | 2.5 | Gall bladder surgery |
| 15 | Man | L & R | Left ulnar, median and radial sensory and motor studies were normal. F-waves studies were normal. Bilateral LTN neuropathy or neuritis. | Lithium ER 1200 mg/day, Wellburtin XR 30 q in AM, Topamax 50 mg i.b.d. Clonazepam 1 mg p.o.q per day p.r.n. Melatonin 4 mg q.h.s. | 24.3 | 3.0 | Intense physical activity |
LTNI, long thoracic nerve injury; SA, serratus anterior; RUE, right upper extremity; EDX, electrodiagnostic studies; NCV, nerve conduction study; EMG, electromyography; MRI, magnetic resonance imaging; CT, Computed tomography.