Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Global Open (Apr 2015)

Electrical Burn Causing a Unique Pattern of Neurological Injury

  • Nathan R. Schaefer, BExSc, MBBS (Hons),
  • Julian P. Yaxley, BMSc, MBBS,
  • Peter O’Donohue, BSc, MBBS, MCE,
  • Carl Lisec, BAppSc (Medical Science), BAppSc (Hons), MBBS, FRACS,
  • Eshwarshanker Jeyarajan, BSc, MBBS

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1097/GOX.0000000000000344
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 3, no. 4
p. e378

Abstract

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Summary: Neurological involvement is not uncommon in patients who sustain electrical injury. The exact mechanism of nervous system damage following electrical trauma is not fully understood. The gamut of possible neurologic manifestations following electrical injury is diverse. This case report describes a young man with a unique pattern of neurological injury following an electrical burn. The combination of brachial plexopathy, partial Horner’s syndrome, and phrenic nerve palsy secondary to electrical injury has not been previously described in the literature.