Objective To investigate the sensation of the fingers innervated by the brachial plexus roots and provide the theoretic basis for diagnosis of a brachial plexus injury. Methods From June 2003 to January 2005，10 patients (8 males, 2 females; age,18-47 years) with complete brachial plexus avulsion were involved in this study, who underwent thecontralateral C7 nerve root transfer. The latency and amplitude of the sensory nerve actiopotential(SNAP) were record at the C5 T1 nerve roots when stimulation was given at the fingers.Results When the thumb and the index finger were stimulated and SNAP was recorded at all the roots of the brachial plexus in all the patients, we found that there was a higher amplitude and a shorter latency at the C5-7 roots than at the C8 and T1 roots(P＜0.05). When the middle finger was stimulated and SNAP was recorded at the C7,8 and T1 roots, we found that there was the highest amplitude and the shortest laency at the C7 root(P＜0.01). When the ring finger was stimulated and SNAP was recorded at the C7,8and T1 roots, we found that there was a higher amplitude and a shorter latency at the C8 and T1 roots than at the C7 root(P＜0.01). When the little finger was stimulated and SNAP was recorded at the C7,8and T1 roots, we found that there was the highest amplitude and the shortest latency at the T1 root(P＜0.01). ConclusionThe sense of the thumband the index finger is mainly nnervated by the C5-7 roots, the middle finger sense is mainly innervated by the C7 root, the ring finger sense is mainly innervated by the C8 and T1 roots, and the little finger sense is mainly innervated by the T1 root.
Objective To discuss the optimal approach to treat suprascapular nerve compression syndrome. Methods From January 2000 to June 2003, 8 cases of suprascapular nerve compression syndrome were treated by surgical intervention to cut the transverse scapular ligament through posterior approach. Of the 8 patients, there were 2 males and 6 females (age ranged from 21 to 53) with duration of 6 months to 3 years. The change of symptom, muscle power, and muscle atrophy after operation were observed. Results One week after operation, pain around the scapular disappeared, muscle power of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles recovered to normal. One, 6, 12 and 16 months after the operation, the patients were followed up. No recurrence was observed. Muscle atrophy didn’t recover.Conclusion To treat suprascapular nerve compression syndrome with operation through posterior approach is easy to operate. When the suprascapular nerve is entrapped in scapular notch, this approach is a good choice.