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Anterior interosseous nerve neuropathy in a patient with spinal cord injury: case report and literature review

Spinal Cord Series and Cases volume 8, Article number: 61 (2022) Cite this article

Subjects

Abstract

Introduction

Entrapment neuropathies, typically carpal tunnel syndrome and ulnar neuropathy, frequently occur in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI). Upper limb impairments due to entrapment neuropathy can be particularly debilitating in this population. Anterior interosseous nerve (AIN) neuropathy has not been previously described in the SCI population.

Case presentation

A 27-year-old left-handed man with a history of C7 ASIA Impairment Scale B spinal cord injury five years prior presented to clinic with decreased left thumb function as well as thumb flexion. Workup including nerve conduction studies, electromyogram, ultrasonographic assessment, and magnetic resonance neurography was consistent with compressive AIN neuropathy. Surgical exploration and neurolysis was performed, with improvement of symptoms.

Discussion

Entrapment neuropathies should be carefully considered in the evaluation of patients with SCI with new motor deficits. We report a case of AIN neuropathy in a patient with SCI successfully treated with surgical decompression, and review the literature describing upper extremity entrapment neuropathies in this population. Surgical decompression is an effective option for treatment of AIN neuropathy in the setting of SCI, though further characterization of the optimal management strategy is needed.

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Fig. 1: Ultrasound assessment at initial encounter.
Fig. 2: Preoperative MRI of the left forearm.
Fig. 3: Preoperative MRI of the left forearm.
Fig. 4: Intraoperative images of AIN neurolysis.

Data availability

Data relating to this case are available upon reasonable request to the authors.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Neurological Surgery, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jonathan Huang, Nikhil K. Murthy & Kevin N. Swong

  2. Regenerative Neurorehabilitation Laboratory, Shirley Ryan Ability Lab, Chicago, IL, USA

    Colin Franz

  3. Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Colin Franz

  4. Ken and Ruth Davee Department of Neurology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Colin Franz

  5. Department of Radiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA

    Jonathan Samet

  6. Department of Radiology, Harvard Medical School, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, USA

    Swati Deshmukh

Authors
  1. Jonathan Huang
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  2. Nikhil K. Murthy
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  6. Kevin N. Swong
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Contributions

All authors contributed equally and substantially to this case report.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Kevin N. Swong.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Huang, J., Murthy, N.K., Franz, C. et al. Anterior interosseous nerve neuropathy in a patient with spinal cord injury: case report and literature review. Spinal Cord Ser Cases 8, 61 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-022-00527-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41394-022-00527-5

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