Imaging the Brachial Plexus

The brachial plexus is an area of the central nervous system where the peripheral nerves branch off of the spinal cord and extend out to the forelimbs. The brachial plexus extends from the level of C4 to T3 cranially and caudally, laterally through the axilla and shoulder girdle, and ventro dorsally from the posterior aspects of the spinous processes through the anterior portion of the shoulder.

Imaging sequences should be performed with a large FOV and enough additional slices to cover that entire area. It is usually easiest to begin with a coronal STIR or T2 fat saturated sequence covering the entire area in order to help locate any abnormalities and focus the subsequent imaging sequences.

The purpose of the study is to evaluate for nerve sheath lesions in the brachial plexus that can cause muscle atrophy, weakness, and proprioception deficits in the forelimbs.