Evaluation of Brachial Plexus Injuries in Infants with DTI and Tractography

Neonatal brachial plexus injury (NBPI) is caused by traction on the neck during birth and presents with flaccid paralysis of the upper extremity. 10-20% of the cases result in neurological sequelae and require surgical intervention; the treatment decisions principally depend on the clinical assessments through the first six months of life. Early stratification of NBPI cases may lead to earlier intervention for severe injuries, better disease outcomes, and higher quality of life. Here, we investigated the use of DTI and tractography for infants with NBPI; our results suggest that this approach might be suitable as a diagnostic and prognostic tool.