A missed EMG finding of brachial plexopathy: Breathing arm [Brakiyal pleksopatinin ihmal edilen EMG bulgusu: Soluyan kol]

Background: aberrant reinnervation after brachial plexus injuries may produce co-contractions between diaphragm and upper limb muscles. this syndrome is known as ‘breathing arm'. methods: in the current study among 138 brachial plexopathy patients we retrospectively investigated the electrophysiological studies of 20 patients with severe brachial plexus injuries who had breathing arm or breathing hand. results: one of 20 patients had breathing hand additionally. one (5%) patient had only upper trunk injury,9 (45%) patients had upper and middle trunk where 10 (50%) had injury to all portions of brachial plexus. conclusion: recognition and documentation of breathing arm may help to define the localization and severity of brachial plexus lesion,and consequently aids selection of the appropriate treatment. © 2016,ege university press. all rights reserved.