Standard neurophysiological studies and motor evoked potentials in evaluation of traumatic brachial plexus injuries - A brief review of the literature

The ENG and EMG studies clarify the level of brachial plexus damage, its type and severity, mainly using the Seddon clinical classification. In contrast to F-wave studies, the use of the MEPs in the evaluation of traumatic brachial plexus injury provides valuable information about the function of its proximal part. MEPs study may be an additional diagnostic in confirming the location and extent of the lesion, considering the pathomechanism of the damage. Clinical neurophysiology studies are the basis for determining the appropriate therapeutic program, including choice of conservative or reconstructive surgery which results are verified in prospective studies.