Rhabdomyolysis resulting in concurrent Horner's syndrome and brachial plexopathy: a case report

Skeletal Radiol. 2017 Aug;46(8):1131-1136. doi: 10.1007/s00256-017-2634-5. Epub 2017 Mar 20.

Abstract

This case report describes a 29-year-old male who presented with immediate onset of Horner's syndrome and ipsilateral brachial plexopathy after sleeping with his arm dangling outside a car window for 8 h. Outside workup and imaging revealed rhabdomyolysis of the left neck musculature. Subsequent electrodiagnostic testing and high-resolution brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging at the authors' institution attributed the Horner's syndrome and concurrent brachial plexopathy to rhabdomyolysis of the longus colli and scalene musculature, which had compressed-and consequently scar tethered-the cervical sympathetic trunk and brachial plexus. This case of co-existent Horner's syndrome and brachial plexopathy demonstrates the role of high-resolution brachial plexus MRI in diagnosing plexopathy and the importance of being familiar with plexus and paravertebral muscle anatomy.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Horner’s syndrome; Magnetic resonance imaging; Rhabdomyolysis.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / diagnostic imaging*
  • Brachial Plexus Neuropathies / etiology*
  • Horner Syndrome / diagnostic imaging*
  • Horner Syndrome / etiology*
  • Humans
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging / methods*
  • Male
  • Rhabdomyolysis / complications*
  • Rhabdomyolysis / diagnostic imaging*