Neurophysiological findings in patients with backpack palsy [Si{dotless}rt çantasi{dotless} palsili hastalarda nörofizyolojik bulgular]

Carrying a heavy backpack exerts compression on shoulders with the potential to cause brachial plexopathy. upper extremity numbness,weakness and atrophy associated with the use of a heavy backpack have been reported previously and termed as pack palsy or rucksack paralysis. we evaluated clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of 5 patients with backpack palsy. up to our knowledge neurophysiological findings in patients with backpack palsy have not been examined in detail earlier. gradually progressing paresthesias,numbness and weakness of the upper extremity were typical symptoms and were appeared just after carrying a heavy backpack during longtime marching. electrophysiologically all cases showed posterior cord lesion and lateral cord lesion was added to the clinical picture in one. resting was recommended to the patients. clinical and electrophysiological full recovery observed after six months. frequently observed posterior cord lesions are thought to be caused by microtraumas and tractions that are exerted on shoulders and axillar region,depending on heaviness of the pack and style of carrying.