The Korean Journal of Pain

The Korean Pain Society (대한통증학회)
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Neuralgic Amyotrophy Considered as Cervical Radiculopathy -A case report-

경추부 신경근병증으로 오인된 신경통성 근위축증 -증례보고-

  • Park, Chan Do (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Kim, Joon Woo (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Choi, Jong Beom (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Min Jung (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University College of Medicine) ;
  • Moon, Jee Youn (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital) ;
  • Lee, Pyung Bok (Department of Anesthesiology and Pain Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital)
  • 박찬도 (분당서울대학교병원 마취통증의학과) ;
  • 김준우 (서울대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 최종범 (분당서울대학교병원 마취통증의학과) ;
  • 이민정 (서울대학교 의과대학 마취통증의학교실) ;
  • 문지연 (분당서울대학교병원 마취통증의학과) ;
  • 이평복 (분당서울대학교병원 마취통증의학과)
  • Received : 2009.06.10
  • Accepted : 2009.07.18
  • Published : 2009.08.01
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Abstract

Neuralgic amyotrophy is a syndrome with a broad range of clinical manifestations. It is characterized by acute, severe pain in the shoulder or arm lasting several days or weeks, followed by muscle weakness and atrophy as the pain diminishes. The diagnosis is based on typical clinical features, electromyography (EMG) and a nerve conduction study. The early and correct diagnosis is important to preclude unnecessary testing or surgical procedures. A 59-year-old female patient presented with pain and weakness involving her right palm and 1 3rd fingers. Three weeks before presentation, she noted the sudden onset of severe right shoulder and forearm pain. After the pain was reduced, she noted persistent right palm and 1-3rd finger pain and weakness. On cervical MRI, there was a mild central disc protrusion at C4 5 and C5 6. Electrodiagnostic testing was performed and she was diagnosed with neuralgic amyotrophy. One week after hospital treatment, her pain was relieved from VAS 10 to 3 and she was discharged with mild weakness of the thumb and index finger during pinch grips.

Keywords

References

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