Ultasonography And Normal Value Measurement Of Childrens’ Barchial Plexus In Different Ages

Objective: To explore the ultrasonography findings and normal value measurement of normal brachial plexus of children in different age groups,and offer an objective and reliable imaging evidence for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of pediatric brachial plexus diseases.Methods: 441 children of different age groups in the children’s hospital of chongqing medical university were examined by ultrasonography and measured the diameter,circumference and cross section area of the nerve root.Male: female =237:204,according to the age,441 children were divided into 6 groups:(1)newborn group:(0 to 28 days)60 cases;(2)infant group :(28 days to 1 year old);(3)toddle group :(1 to 3 years old)57 cases;(4)pre-school age group:(3 to 6 years old)66 cases;(5)school age group :(6 to 9 years old)63 cases;(6)pre-adolescent group :(9 to 12 years old)70 cases;(7)adolescent group: 63 cases(< 18 years old).Results:(1)High frequency ultrasonography can clearly show the C5 ~ C8 brachial plexus nerve root and measure the diameter,circumference and cross-cutting area,the display rate of bilateral C5 ~ C7 nerve root is 100%,and the C8 nerve root is 81.1%(excluding newborn group).(2)ultrasonographic: the boundary of brachial plexus in cross-sections is clear,round,oval or triangular structure,uneven hypoechoic,visible fine linear slightly hyperechoic nerve bundle membrane and small patches of low echo nerve bundle,part of the nerve roots bifurcate in the process of walking in interscalene;Longitudinal section: a bundle of hypoechoic structures connected to the spinal cord in the spinal canal.The boundary is clear and continuous,and the internal echo is not uniform.(3)there was no statistically significant difference between the left and right sides nerve root of all the children tested;The diameter,circumference and cross-cutting area of the nerve roots of C5 ~ C8 were statistically significant(P < 0.05).(4)the values were positively correlated with age,height,weight and body surface area(r value range 0.673 ~ 0.858,P < 0.01).Conclusion:High-frequency ultrasound can clearly show the brachial plexus nerve root and measure it,which can be used as the routine imaging examination method of brachial plexus nerve injury.This reaserch established the different age children’s normal C5 ~ C8 brachial plexus root diameter,perimeter and a transverse normal reference range,the measured value was consistent with C5 < C6 < C7 < C8 and increased with age,height,weight and body surface area.