Epidemiological, clinical, and electrophysiological findings in dogs and cats with traumatic brachial plexus injury: A retrospective study of 226 cases

Abstract

Abstract Background The imaging and electrodiagnostic (EDX) characteristics of traumatic brachial plexus injury (TBPI) are incompletely reported. Objectives To describe the epidemiological, clinical, and EDX characteristics of TBPIs in a series of cases in dogs and cats; to determine the association between clinical data, EDX findings, and clinical outcomes; and to assess the sensitivity and specificity of EDX studies to classify nerve lesions. Animals One hundred and seventy‐five dogs and 51 cats with TBPI and EDX exploration of radial nerve, ulnar nerve, or both nerves. Methods Retrospective case series. All medical records were searched for dogs and cats presenting with TBPIs that underwent EDX exploration. Epidemiological, clinical, EDX, and follow‐up data were extracted. Association between clinical data, EDX findings, and clinical outcomes was explored. Results Forty‐six percent of affected animals were injured before 2 years of age and 57% of dogs weighed more than 20 kg. The radial compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude for dogs and cats that had clinical improvement was higher than in animals without improvement (4.3 mV [0‐23.6] vs 0 mV [0‐2.4], respectively, P = .02). A discriminating radial CMAP amplitude threshold value of 5 mV had a specificity of 93% (95% CI [80‐100]) to predict recovery. Conclusions and Clinical Importance Electrodiagnostic studies, particularly measurement of radial CMAP amplitude, are valuable diagnostic tests to refine the prognosis of these animals.

Keywords

• axonotmesis
• electromyography
• electroneurography
• nerve root avulsion
• neurapraxia
• neurotmesis