[Diagnosis and treatment of paralysis following intrafascicular peripheral nerve torsion: two clinical observations and a literature review].

BACKGROUND

Intrafascicular nerve torsion is a rare and poorly studied type of nerve compression. This disease can be assigned to compression-induced neuropathies, but it has a distinctive feature. It is a spontaneous intrafascicular compression following internal local spiral deformation and compression of the nerve outside routine tunnels due to its torsion around its own axis. Understanding the pathogenesis of such spiral compression is essential in diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of these patients.

OBJECTIVE

To assess the effectiveness of various diagnostic techniques, the possibility and effectiveness of surgical treatment of patients with spiral intrafascicular nerve deformation.

MATERIAL AND

METHODS

The authors report 2 patients (45-year-old man and 38-year-old woman) who were examined for progressive radial neuropathy of unknown etiology. Ultrasound of the radial nerve and electroneuromyography were performed. These data made it possible to diagnose nerve lesion in both cases. These findings justified external and internal radial nerve decompression.

RESULTS

Ultrasound was valuable to establish localization and cause of radial nerve lesion (local hourglass-shaped deformation). Electroneuromyography confirmed conduction disturbances along the altered segment of radial nerve in both patients. Intraoperatively, intrafascicular nerve torsion as a cause of functional disorders was confirmed in both cases. Both patients required external and internal nerve decompression with restoration of linear orientation of the nerve and its fixation within the epineurium. Positive effect was noted immediately after surgery. Control survey after 3 and 6 months revealed significant regression of symptoms (increase in muscle strength and motion amplitude) and high satisfaction with treatment outcomes.

CONCLUSION

Clinical manifestations of intrafascicular radial nerve torsion imitate typical compression-induced neuropathy. However, this lesion is characterized by another unclear pathogenesis, localization far from natural tunnels, typical ultrasound and intraoperative patterns. Surgical treatment has certain features, and its effectiveness depends on surgical technique and ranges from 60% to 90%.