The thesis topic is "The influence of the early therapy by reflex locomotion according to Vojta on children with brachial plexus palsy postpartum and its social impact from the perspective of their parents."The brachial plexus (BP) consists of nerve bundles based on radicular segments C5-Th1. Innervate muscles girdle blades, shoulder, arm and hand. When BP is damaged the mobility may be impaired (paresis to plegia of muscles), sensation (hypoesthesia to anesthesia, paresthesia, pain) and vegetative symptoms can appear (discoloration and skin temperature changes, changes in hair, nail brittleness). Types of BP palsy are classified according to clinical and anatomic course. Paresis of upper type (Erb-Duchene) is the most common and has the best prognosis, clinically manifest by the adduction and internal rotation of the upper limb, the elbow in extension, the wrist in flexion,the limb is poor, the gripping reflex present. During the paralysis of the lower type (Déjerine-Klumpke) the wrist flexion is not possible and the hand grip is poor or absent, and when there is a disruption of the cervical sympathetic the Horner's syndrome appears. An isolated paresis of the secondary trunk with disabilities muscles innervated n. Radialis is rare. During the complete lesion BP the whole limb is plegic with anesthesia all dermatomes excluding the inner arm. The complete lesion BP has the worst prognosis. BP perinatal injury arises in connection with childbirth. Despite the knowledge of risk factors we fail to prevent these injuries. With all children with postnatal paresis BP the initiation of conservative treatment is indicated, some children require neurosurgery. With some children a residual limb dysfunction remains after the treatment. Among the consequences we include permanent residual paresis, postural abnormalities, limb bone deformities, contractures of joints, shortened arm. Delays in mental development and cognitive impairment are related to motor disorders. The early and quality diagnosis and the immediate initiation of therapy is the prerequisite for successful treatment. The therapy should prevent the development of pathological patterns of movement and evoke and restore optimum momentum. The main aim is the restoration of innervation and hand function and the second one is the elbow flexion and the third is the arm abduction. Vojta method of reflex locomotion is one of the methods used for conservative treatment of peripheral paresis. In therapy, congenital partial patterns of forward movement global models, which is reflective crawling and reflective rotation, are activated. These patterns are inborn but with children with locomotor disorders these are blocked. By repeated targeted activation we can achieve the correct fixation of the correct models and thus enable their use in spontaneous motor fluctuations and pathological compensatory movements are displaced. Reflex locomotion favorably influences other functions such as posture and its management, neurological status, the development of mental and autonomic functions, and oculomotoric and disproportionate growth. The goal of the treatment is to reduce the disability degree and to minimize the future disability and handicap. Improving the quality of the child´s life leads to improvement of the life quality for the entire family. The theoretical part is devoted to BP palsy therapy and reflex locomotion according to Vojta. First, the function of peripheral nervous system is characterised, the other part is devoted to BP injury - mechanisms of injury, diagnosis, treatment options, BP perinatal injuries and rehabilitation of patients with spinal BP. The chapter dealing with Vojta describes the basic principles of Vojta method - reflexive crawling and reflexive rotation. The final chapter deals with the birth of a handicapped child, the need to support families and individuals affected especially in the psychological and sociological levels.

O desenvolvimento de um método eficiente de avaliação prognóstica precoce seria de grande utilidade na seleção de lactentes com plexopatia braquial obstétrica para cirurgias de reconstrução do plexo braquial. Realizamos estudos de condução motora em 54 pacientes entre 10 e 60 dias de vida. Foram comparadas lado a lado as amplitudes dos potenciais de ação musculares compostos dos nervos axilar (músculo deltóde), musculocutâneo (músculo bíceps), radial proximal (músculo tríceps), radial distal (músculo extensor comum dos dedos), mediano (eminência tenar) e ulnar (eminência hipotenar). A relação entre a amplitude do potencial motor do lado lesado sobre o lado são foi chamada de Índice de Viabilidade Axonial (IVA), sendo este calculado tanto a partir da amplitude negativa como da amplitude pico-a-pico. Os pacientes foram seguidos clinicamente e classificados em três grupos: Grupo A, com recuperação total até os seis meses de vida; Grupo B, recuperação satisfatória até os doze meses de vida, e Grupo C, recuperação insatisfatória até os doze meses de vida. Analisamos a curva ROC (Receive Operator Characteristic Curve) de cada IVA para definir o melhor ponto de corte para detecção dos pacientes do Grupo C (mau prognóstico). Para o nervo axilar, o ponto de corte ideal foi IVA menor que 10%, com sensibilidade de 88,2% e especificidade de 89,2% ou 91,9%. Para o nervo musculocutâneo, o ponto de corte foi a ausência de potencial de ação motor, com sensibilidade de 88,2% e especificidade de 73,0%. Para o nervo radial proximal, o ponto de corte foi IVA menor que 20%, com sensibilidade de 82,4% ou 94,1% e especificidade de 97,3% ou 100%. Para o nervo radial distal, o ponto de corte foi IVA menor que 50%, com sensibilidade de 76,5% ou 82,4% e especificidade de 97,3%. Para o nervo ulnar, o ponto de corte foi IVA menor que 50%, com sensibilidade de 58,8% e especificidade de 97,3% ou 100%. O IVA do nervo mediano teve um desempenho ruim e seu uso não pode ser recomendado. Os IVAs dos nervos radial proximal, radial distal e ulnar apresentaram maior especificidade do que o critério clínico mais utilizado para a avaliação prognóstica, ou seja, ausência de função bicipital aos três meses de vida. A sensibilidade dos IVAs dos nervos axilar, musculocutâneo, radial proximal e radial distal foram equivalentes à do critério clínico. A utilização do estudo de condução motora entre 10 e 60 dias de vida forneceu uma avaliação prognóstica mais precoce e mais específica do que o critério clínico, podendo ser utilizada para indicação cirúrgica destes pacientes. / Early prognostic assessment of obstetric brachial plexopathies would be a major step for rational selection of infants for brachial plexus surgery. We performed nerve conduction studies in 54 patients from 10 to 60 days of life. We compared sideto-side the compound muscle action potentials amplitudes from the axillary (deltoid muscle), musculocutaneous (biceps), proximal radial (triceps), distal radial (extensor digitorum communis), median (thenar eminence) and ulnar nerves (hypothenar eminence). The ratio between the amplitude of the affected limb and that of the healthy side was called Viability Axonal Index (VAI), which was calculated using both the negative and the peak-to-peak amplitudes. The patients were followed-up and classified in three groups: Group A, with full recovery at six months of age; Group B, with satisfactory recovery at twelve months of age, and Group C, with poor recovery at twelve months of age. We analyzed the ROC (Receive Operator Characteristic) curve of each VAI to define the best cut-off point for detection of Group C patients (bad prognosis). The best cut-off point for the axillary nerve was a VAI of less than 10%, whith sensibility of 88.2% and specificity of 89.2% or 91.9%. For the musculocutaneous nerve, the cut-off point was an absent motor action potential, with sensibility of 88.2% and specificity of 73.0%. For the proximal radial nerve, the cut-off point was a VAI of less than 20%, with sensibility of 82.4% or 94.1% and specificity of 97.3% or 100%. For the distal radial nerve, the cut-off point was a VAI of less than 50%, with sensibility of 76.5% or 82.4% and specificity of 97.3%. For the ulnar nerve, the cut-off point was a VAI of less than 50%, which sensibility of 58.8% and specificity of 97.3% or 100%. The VAI from the median nerve had a poor performance and its use could not be recommended. The VAIs from proximal radial, distal radial and ulnar nerves had better specificities compared to the most used clinical criterion: absence of biceps function at three months of age. The VAIs sensitivities from axillary, musculocutaneous, proximal radial and distal radial nerves were equivalent to the clinical criterion. The use of motor conduction studies between 10 and 60 days of age yielded an earlier and more specific prognostic estimation than the clinical criterion, and could be used for indication of surgery in these patients.

A Anatomia comparativa de mamíferos vem sendo tema de pesquisas, nas áreas biomédica e biológica com o objetivo de se buscar conhecimentos que possam auxiliar na busca sobre o entendimento do binômio unidade-variedade, dentre os símios tem sido particularmente enfocados o Babuíno e o Rhesus que, entretanto, não são próprios do Novo Mundo. O Cebus apella, animal das matas do continente Sul-americano, distribuindo-se geograficamente por quase todo o Brasil, apresenta satisfatória adaptação à vida em cativeiro condição em que, inclusive, se reproduz com facilidade. Assim, é de nosso interesse focalizar, o Cebus apella, analisando a origem, a composição e os nervos resultantes de seu plexo braquial. O objetivo imediato deste trabalho é, dar seqüência ao conhecimento de sua Anatomia, visando também o fornecimento de subsídios para interpretações anatómo-funcionais do Cebus apella, comparativamente a outros animais. O objetivo a médio e a longo prazos é o estabelecimento do padrão anatômico deste animal, culminando com a elaboração de um Atlas - texto sobre a Anatomia do macaco Cebus apella. Utilizamos 20 animais, sendo 10 machos e 10 fêmeas, adultos, pertencentes ao acervo de pesquisas da Universidade Federal de Uberlândia. A preparação das peças anatômicas foi feita segundo a metodologia usual em estudos anatômicos. Os principais nervos oriundos do plexo braquial são: supraescapular, subescapular, musculocutâneo, radial, mediano, ulnar, axilar, toracodorsal, peitoral maior e peitoral menor. Em 57% dos espécimes dissecados o plexo braquial do Cebus está constituído por raízes de C5 a T1, em 21,4% de C5 a T2, em 14,3% de C4 a T1 e em 7,3% de C4 a T2. O plano dorsal do plexo braquial contribui para a formação dos nervos: frênico, peitoral maior e peitoral menor. O plano médio origina os nervos musculocutâneo, mediano, ulnar e cutâneo medial do antebraço, enquanto o plano ventral dá origem aos nervos supraescapular, subescapular, axilar, radial e torácico longo. Discute-se a ocorrência de pré e de pós-fixação do plexo, bem como a de seu deslocamento cranial e caudal. Em conclusão o plexo braquial do Cebus apella está constituído por raízes de C5 a T1 e é organizado em um plano ventral mais simples, um médio de complexidade intermediária e um dorsal mais complexo. / Comparative Anatomy of mammals has been a relevant theme of researches in the biomedical and biological areas with the objective of looking for more information that can aid for searching on the understanding of the unit-variety complex. Among the simians, Baboon and Rhesus have been particularly focused, although they are not from the New World. The monkey Cebus apella, animal of the forests of the South American continent, being geographically distributed for almost the whole Brazil, presents satisfactory adaptation to the captive life showing a great easiness of reproduction. Thus, we intended to study the monkey Cebus apella, analyzing the origin, the composition and the resulting nerves of its brachial plexus. The immediate objective of this study was to add information to the knowledge of its Anatomy, seeking the supply of subsidies for anatomo-functional interpretations of Cebus apella comparatively to humans and domestic animals. Further, we propose to establish the anatomical pattern of this animal, culminating with the elaboration of an Atlas - text on the Anatomy of the monkey Cebus apella. Twenty adult animals, 10 male and 10 female, belonging to the collection of anatomical pieces of the Anatomy Laboratory of the Federal University of Uberlândia were obtained and prepared through fixation and dissection. The major nerves originating from the brachial plexus were: the suprascapular, the subscapular, the musculo-cutaneous, the radial, the median, the ulnar, the axillary, the thoraco-dorsal, the pectoralis major and the pectoralis minor. In the dissected specimens, the brachial plexus of Cebus apella was constituted by the roots from C5 to T1 (55,00 ± 11,12%), from C5 to T2 (25,00 ± 9,68%), from C4 to T1 (15,00 ± 7,98%) and from C4 to T2 (5,00 ± 4,87%). The ventral plan of the brachial plexus contributed for the formation of the following nerves: the phrenic, the subclavius, the pectoralis major, and the pectoralis minor. The medium plan originated the musculo-cutaneous, the median, the ulnar, and the forearm medial cutaneous nerves, while the dorsal plan originated the suprascapular, the subscapular, the axillary, the radial, thoraco-dorsal and the long thoracic nerves. In addition, the occurrence of pre- and post- fixation of the plexus as well as its cranial and caudal displacement have been discussed. In conclusion, the brachial plexus of Cebus apella constituted by the roots from C5 to T1 is organized in a simpler ventral plan, a medium plan of intermediate complexity and a more complex dorsal plan.

Estudos de prognóstico clínico consistem na predição do curso de uma doença em pacientes e são utilizados por profissionais da saúde com o intuito de aumentar as chances ou a qualidade de sua recuperação. Sob a perspectiva computacional, a criação de um modelo prognóstico clínico é um problema de classificação, cujo objetivo é identificar a qual classe (dentro de um conjunto de classes predefinidas) uma nova amostra pertence. Este projeto visa a criar modelos prognósticos de lesões traumáticas do plexo braquial, um conjunto de nervos que inervam os membros superiores, utilizando dados de pacientes adultos com esse tipo de lesão. Os dados são provenientes do Instituto de Neurologia Deolindo Couto (INDC) da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro (UFRJ) e contêm dezenas de atributos clínicos coletados por meio de questionários eletrônicos. Com esses modelos prognósticos, deseja-se identificar de maneira automática os possíveis preditores do curso desse tipo de lesão. Árvores de decisão são classificadores frequentemente utilizados para criação de modelos prognósticos, por se tratarem de um modelo transparente, cujo resultado pode ser examinado e interpretado clinicamente. As Florestas Aleatórias, uma técnica que utiliza um conjunto de árvores de decisão para determinar o resultado final da classificação, podem aumentar significativamente a acurácia e a generalização dos modelos gerados, entretanto ainda são pouco utilizadas na criação de modelos prognósticos. Neste projeto, exploramos a utilização de florestas aleatórias nesse contexto, bem como a aplicação de métodos de interpretação de seus modelos gerados, uma vez que a transparência do modelo é um aspecto particularmente importante em domínios clínicos. A estimativa de generalização dos modelos resultantes foi feita por meio de métodos que viabilizam sua utilização sobre um número reduzido de instâncias, uma vez que os dados relativos ao prognóstico são provenientes de 44 pacientes do INDC. Além disso, adaptamos a técnica de florestas aleatórias para incluir a possível existência de valores faltantes, que é uma característica presente nos dados utilizados neste projeto. Foram criados quatro modelos prognósticos - um para cada objetivo de recuperação, sendo eles a ausência de dor e forças satisfatórias avaliadas sobre abdução do ombro, flexão do cotovelo e rotação externa no ombro. As acurácias dos modelos foram estimadas entre 77% e 88%, utilizando o método de validação cruzada leave-one-out. Esses modelos evoluirão com a inclusão de novos dados, provenientes da contínua chegada de novos pacientes em tratamento no INDC, e serão utilizados como parte de um sistema de apoio à decisão clínica, de forma a possibilitar a predição de recuperação de um paciente considerando suas características clínicas. / Studies of prognosis refer to the prediction of the course of a disease in patients and are employed by health professionals in order to improve patients\' recovery chances and quality. Under a computational perspective, the creation of a prognostic model is a classification task that aims to identify to which class (within a predefined set of classes) a new sample belongs. The goal of this project is the creation of prognostic models for traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus, a network of nerves that innervates the upper limbs, using data from adult patients with this kind of injury. The data come from the Neurology Institute Deolindo Couto (INDC) of Rio de Janeiro Federal University (UFRJ) and they are characterized by dozens of clinical features that are collected by means of electronic questionnaires. With the use of these prognostic models we intended to automatically identify possible predictors of the course of brachial plexus injuries. Decision trees are classifiers that are frequently used for the creation of prognostic models since they are a transparent technique that produces results that can be clinically examined and interpreted. Random Forests are a technique that uses a set of decision trees to determine the final classification results and can significantly improve model\'s accuracy and generalization, yet they are still not commonly used for the creation of prognostic models. In this project we explored the use of random forests for that purpose, as well as the use of interpretation methods for the resulting models, since model transparency is an important aspect in clinical domains. Model assessment was achieved by means of methods whose application over a small set of samples is suitable, since the available prognostic data refer to only 44 patients from INDC. Additionally, we adapted the random forests technique to include missing data, that are frequent among the data used in this project. Four prognostic models were created - one for each recovery goal, those being absence of pain and satisfactory strength evaluated over shoulder abduction, elbow flexion and external shoulder rotation. The models\' accuracies were estimated between 77% and 88%, calculated through the leave-one-out cross validation method. These models will evolve with the inclusion of new data from new patients that will arrive at the INDC and they will be used as part of a clinical decision support system, with the purpose of prediction of a patient\'s recovery considering his or her clinical characteristics.

Ultrasound-guided selective C5 nerve root blocks have been described in several case reports as a safe and effective means to anesthetize the distal clavicle while maintaining innervation of the upper extremity and preserving diaphragmatic function. In this study, cadavers were injected with 5 mL of 0.5% methylene blue dye under ultrasound guidance to investigate possible proximal and distal spread of injectate along the brachial plexus, if any. Following the injections, the specimens were dissected and examined to determine the distribution of dye and the structures affected. One injection revealed dye extended proximally into the epidural space, which penetrated the dura mater and was present on the spinal cord and brainstem. Dye was noted distally to the divisions in 3 injections. The anterior scalene muscle and phrenic nerve were stained in all 4 injections. It appears unlikely that local anesthetic spread is limited to the nerve root following an ultrasound-guided selective C5 nerve root injection. Under certain conditions, intrathecal spread also appears possible, which has major patient safety implications. Additional safety measures, such as injection pressure monitoring, should be incorporated into this block, or approaches that are more distal should be considered for the acute pain management of distal clavicle fractures.

No description available.

京都大学 / 0048 / 新制・課程博士 / 博士(医学) / 甲第18132号 / 医博第3852号 / 新制||医||1001(附属図書館) / 30990 / 京都大学大学院医学研究科医学専攻 / (主査)教授 戸口田 淳也, 教授 髙橋 良輔, 教授 宮本 享 / 学位規則第4条第1項該当 / Doctor of Medical Science / Kyoto University / DFAM

The most frequent sequelae following an obstetric brachial plexus lesion without complete functional recovery concern the impaired shoulder rotation movements and the associated structural changes of the growing glenohumeral joint. <p>This pathology is often unrecognized and may lead to a limitation in active movements, a pathologic and less efficient motion pattern in the affected limb, and the development of a severely incongruent and dysplastic glenohumeral joint prone to further arthrosis.<p><p>Hypothesis<p><p>Glenohumeral dysplasia after obstetric brachial plexus lesion has multiple etiologies: A hypothetic obstetric trauma may precede the motor imbalance, due to the initial palsy and prevalent recovery of the medial rotators of the shoulder.<p>The correction of the muscular imbalance, by neurotization of the lateral rotators (supra- and infraspinatus muscle) using a local nerve transfer or by a later muscle transfer surgery, improves function, seems to prevent the development of joint dysplasia and limits the articular deformities once they are present. <p>The early (peripartal) glenohumeral subluxation must be recognized and treated immediately to prevent the development of a severe joint contracture and dysplasia.<p> <p>Material and methods<p><p>Two retrospective and one prospective study evaluate how surgery may correct the muscular imbalance.<p>In a first series of 65 children, we analyse the recovery of the supra- and infraspinatus muscle after a nerve transfer onto the suprascapular nerve.<p>In a second retrospective analysis on 114 children, we study the outcome after secondary surgery (anterior joint release, modified Hoffer muscle transfer) dedicated to improve active and passive lateral rotation of the shoulder.<p>A prospective study of 50 magnetic resonance (MRI) scans of the glenohumeral joint describes the articular deformities.<p>Finally, 10 children presenting a very early glenohumeral subluxation have undergone a closed orthopaedic reposition and plaster immobilisation and were followed for a minimum of 2 years.<p><p>Results<p><p>In the first group, neurotization of the suprascapular nerve has been performed either by a dorsal or a ventral approach at a mean age of 14 months. The mean follow up is of 3 years and the improvement in aLR(ABD) is 68°and only 25°in aLR(ADD). None of these children with improved active lateral rotation of the shoulder developed clinical signs of a glenohumeral dysplasia within the follow up period.<p><p>Among the 114 children operated between 6 months and 44 years with a shoulder release, 74 had an isolated release procedure, 40 an associated tendon transfer or a suprascapular neurotization. The mean improvement in passive lateral rotation with the arm adducted (pLR (ADD)) was 60°. Active lateral rotation was possible in 63 % of children who underwent an isolated joint release.<p>The Hoffer muscle transfer was performed in 29 children and improved the aLR (ABD) by 60° (mean postoperative follow-up of 30 months). No signs of severe glenohumeral dysplasia developed in these children later on.<p><p>The prospective study of 50 consecutive MRI scans in children presenting at the consultation with a rotatory imbalance of their shoulder, as a sequel from obstetric brachial plexus palsy (Bahm et al. 2007) shows 37 congruent joints, 10 dorsal subluxations, 2 dorsal luxations and one complete dislocation associated with the formation of an independent neoglenoid. The humeral head was deformed in 12 cases; the glenoid in 34 children (flat in 23, biconcave 7 times, convex 3 times).<p><p>The follow up of 2 years in 10 children who underwent an immediate closed reposition shows evidence of joint congruence with a limited (30°) pLR (ADD), definitely lower than after a surgical release.<p><p>Conclusion<p><p>Some osteo-articular deformities secondary to neuromuscular diseases are well described ;those following an obstetric brachial plexus lesion are insufficiently recognized. Their etiology is unclear.<p>At the level of the shoulder joint, these sequels might be very important.<p>Our neuroorthopaedic hypothesis concerning a multifactorial etiology and treatment strategy raises the need of an early and precise screening of the deforming forces to render normal biomechanics and function.<p>The surgical strategy includes the reconstruction of the responsible motor nerve and the improvement of the passive and active range of motion of the shoulder in lateral rotation<p>It seems to be efficient to limit the progression to severe glenohumeral dysplasia and further arthrosis.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences médicales / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

INTRODUÇÃO: A recuperação de sensibilidade protetora na mão deve fazer parte da estratégia na reconstrução cirúrgica das lesões completas do plexo braquial. Existem poucos nervos doadores de fibras sensitivas disponíveis e há poucos trabalhos relacionados na literatura. Um possível doador é o nervo intercostobraquial (NICB), que é o ramo cutâneo lateral do segundo nervo intercostal que inerva a pele da região póstero-medial do braço e da axila. OBJETIVOS: Avaliar a viabilidade anatômica de utilização do NICB como doador de fibras sensitivas para a contribuição do cordão lateral para o nervo mediano (CLNM) e comparar o número de fibras do NICB e da CLNM, para analisar a compatibilidade anatômica entre esses nervos. MÉTODOS: Trinta cadáveres adultos não fixados foram dissecados no Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos da Capital da Universidade de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brasil. Dados de sexo, altura e peso foram registrados. O NICB e o plexo braquial infraclavicular à direita foram expostos e parâmetros anatômicos como número de ramos na origem, diâmetro e divisões no curso do NICB foram mensurados, caracterizados e registrados, assim como o diâmetro da CLNM. As distâncias entre a origem do NICB e seu ponto de divisão e ponto de coaptação com a CLNM também foram medidas e registradas. Fragmentos de nervos foram retirados dos últimos dez espécimes para análise histomorfométrica com contagem do número de fibras de quatro nervos: NICB, nervo supraclavicular (NSC), terceiro nervo intercostal (3ºNIC) e CLNM. RESULTADOS: Oito cadáveres eram do sexo feminino e 22 do masculino. A média de idade, altura e peso foram, respectivamente, 62 anos, 166 cm e 59,5 Kg. O diâmetro médio do NICB na sua origem foi de 2,1 mm e no seu ponto de coaptação de 2,7 mm. O diâmetro médio da CLNM foi de 3,7 mm. Vinte e oito (93,3%) NICBs apresentaram-se como tronco único em sua origem e, em seu trajeto na axila, 22 deles (73,3%) se dividiram em 2 ramos, sete (23,3%) dividiram-se em três ramos e um atingiu o braço como tronco único. As distâncias médias entre a origem do NICB e o seu ponto de ramificação e de coaptação à CLNM foram 23,8 mm e 54 mm, respectivamente. Todos os NICBs dissecados tinham extensão suficiente para alcançar a CLNM. Os números médios de fibras do NICB, NSC, 3ºNIC e CLNM foram 984, 693, 470 e 5273, respectivamente. A análise estatística mostrou diferença significativa entre o NICB e o 3ºNIC, e entre a CLNM (receptor) e os outros potenciais nervos doadores (NICB, NSC e 3ºNIC). CONCLUSÕES: A transferência do NICB como um doador de axônios sensitivos para a CLNM foi anatomicamente viável. O NICB apresenta número de fibras maior do que o 3ºNIC, mas sem diferença significativa em comparação com o NSC. Considerando a importância da recuperação da sensibilidade protetora na mão, esta técnica pode se tornar importante contribuição em doentes com lesões completas do plexo braquial / INTRODUCTION: Restoration of protective sensory function in the hand should be mandatory in the surgical reconstruction of complete brachial plexus lesions. There are few available donors and related papers in the literature are scanty. One possible donor is the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN), which is the lateral cutaneous branch of the second intercostal nerve that supplies the skin of the medial and posterior parts of the arm and the skin of the axilla. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the anatomical viability of using the ICBN as a donor of sensitive axons to the lateral cord contribution to the median nerve (LCMN) and to compare the number of fibers of the ICBN, and the LCMN, to analyze the anatomical compatibility between these nerves. METHODS: Thirty non-fixed adult cadavers were dissected at the Serviço de Verificação de Óbitos da Capital of University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil. Data of sex, height and weight were registered. The right ICBN and infraclavicular brachial plexus were exposed and measurements of diameters of the ICBN and of the LCMN were performed. Number of branches at ICBN origin and number of divisions were registered. Distances between the origin of the ICBN and its point of division and point of coaptation to the LCMN were also measured. Histomorphometric analysis of the last ten specimens was performed with fibers counting of four distal nerves: ICBN, supraclavicular nerve (SCN), third intercostal nerve (3rdICN) and LCMN. RESULTS: Eight cadavers were female and 22 male. The mean age, height and weight were, respectively, 62 yo, 166 cm and 59,5 Kg. The mean diameter of the ICBN at its origin was 2,1 mm and at its point of coaptation was 2,7 mm, and the mean diameter of the LCMN was 3,7 mm. Twenty eight (93,3%) ICBNs had only one branch at their origin and, in their axillary course, 22 of them (73,3%) divided in 2 branches, seven (23,3%) divided in 3 branches and one reached the arm as a single nerve. The divisions of the ICBN occurred in a mean distance of 23,8 mm from their origin. The mean distance between the origin of the ICBN and its point of coaptation to the LCMN was 54 mm. All the ICBNs dissected had enough extension to reach the LCMN. The mean numbers of fibers of the ICBN, SCN, 3rdICN and LCMN were 984, 693, 470 and 5273, respectively. Statistical analysis demonstrated significant difference between the ICBN and the 3rdICN, and between the LCMN (recipient) and the other potential donor nerves (ICBN, SCN and 3rdICN). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated the anatomical feasibility of the transfer of the ICBN as a donor of sensitive axons to the LCMN. The ICBN has a number of fibers greater than that of the ICN, but without significant difference in comparison to the SCN. Considering the importance of the recovery of protective sensibility in the hand, this technique may become an important contribution in the treatment of patients with complete lesions of the brachial plexus

La paralysie obstétricale du plexus brachial (POPB) est une parésie d’un ou des membres supérieurs causée le plus souvent par un étirement excessif des racines nerveuses à la naissance. Les enfants sans récupération complète garderont des séquelles à vie, comprenant une diminution de force et des mouvements, des déformations osseuses, impactant leurs activités quotidiennes. L'atteinte de l’épaule est la principale cause de morbidité. Les muscles gléno-huméraux sont au coeur de la pathologie de l’épaule. L’IRM permet l’évaluation de l’atteinte des muscles de l’épaule. Les volumes musculaires, intéressants du fait de leur corrélation avec la force, peuvent être obtenus par différentes techniques de segmentation dont les propriétés métrologiques sont inégales. Chez l’enfant avec POPB, l’utilisation d’une technique de segmentation sur un grand nombre de coupes a montré une atrophie variable des muscles glénohuméraux menant à des déséquilibres musculaires dans les trois plans de l’espace. Des corrélations entre les volumes musculaires et la force, significatives mais plus faibles que chez les enfants à développement typique étaient retrouvées. Du fait de l’atteinte osseuse et musculaire, la mobilité de l’articulation gléno-humérale est limitée. Dans une étude utilisant l’analyse quantifiée du mouvement, cette limitation, majeure en rotation externe d’épaule ainsi que des compensations au niveau de l’ensemble du membre supérieur ont été objectivées. La performance du mouvement était bonne. A partir des résultats obtenus différents objectifs et cibles thérapeutiques sont discutés. La lutte contre le déséquilibre musculaire rotateurs internes-externes apparaît comme une priorité. / Obstetric Brachial Plexus Palsy (OBPP) is the paralysis of one or both upper limbs. It is most often caused by excessive traction on cervical nerve roots during a difficult birth. The children without incomplete recovery will have long-term impairment, including loss of active and passive mobility, loss of strength, bony deformities, activity limitation and participation restriction. The loss of shoulder function is the main cause of morbidity in this population.Glenohumeral muscles involvement is a key element of the pathology of the shoulder. MRI allows evaluation of the shoulder muscle involvement. Muscle volumes in particular, well correlated with muscle strength, can be modified by different segmentation techniques whose metrological properties are unequal.In children with OBPP, the use of a segmentation technique on a large number of slices has shown a variable atrophy of the gleno-humeral muscles leading to three-dimensional muscular imbalances.Correlations between muscle volumes and strength were significant but lower than in children with typical development.Because of the bone deformity and muscle involvement, the mobility of the glenohumeral joint is limited. In a study using 3D motion analysis of the movement, this limitation, which is large in external shoulder rotation, as well as compensations on the whole upper limb, were shown. The performance of the movement was good.From these results, different objectives and therapeutic targets are discussed. Internal-external rotator muscular imbalance correction appears as a priority.