Brachial Plexus Lesions: Uncommon Causes and Clinical Sequelae

The brachial plexus is a complex network of nerves that transmit motor and sensory information between the spinal cord and upper extremities. Brachial plexus lesions may be caused by a broad range of congential and traumatic conditions. These lesions present a challenge to healthcare providers both for diagnosis and treatment. While variations in the brachial plexus have been widely reported, resources outlining the prevenance and involvement of anatomical variation along with their possible clinical presentation are more limited. The objective of this review is to describe uncommon causes of brachial plexus lesions and the clinical challenges they present for providers. This review may inform medical educators and clinicians as they deliberate complicated differential diagnoses involving neuropathic symptoms of the upper limb after ruling out primary diagnoses involving the terminal branches of the brachial plexus.