Isolated long thoracic nerve paralysis - a rare complication of anterior spinal surgery: a case report

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Isolated long thoracic nerve injury causes paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. Patients with serratus anterior palsy may present with periscapular pain, weakness, limitation of shoulder elevation and scapular winging.</p&...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ameri Ebrahim, Behtash Hamid, Omidi-Kashani Farzad
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2009-06-01
Series:Journal of Medical Case Reports
Online Access:http://www.jmedicalcasereports.com/content/3/1/7366
Description
Summary:<p>Abstract</p> <p>Introduction</p> <p>Isolated long thoracic nerve injury causes paralysis of the serratus anterior muscle. Patients with serratus anterior palsy may present with periscapular pain, weakness, limitation of shoulder elevation and scapular winging.</p> <p>Case presentation</p> <p>We present the case of a 23-year-old woman who sustained isolated long thoracic nerve palsy during anterior spinal surgery which caused external compressive force on the nerve.</p> <p>Conclusion</p> <p>During positioning of patients into the lateral decubitus position, the course of the long thoracic nerve must be attended to carefully and the nerve should be protected from any external pressure.</p>
ISSN:1752-1947