Open AccessNeurological and Dexterity Assessments in a Woman with Radiation‐Induced Brachial Plexopathy After Breast Cancer
Author(s) -
Harris Susan R.,
Tugwell Karen E.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the oncologist
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.176
H-Index - 164
eISSN - 1549-490X
pISSN - 1083-7159
DOI - 10.1634/theoncologist.2019-0875
Subject(s) - brachial plexopathy , medicine , breast cancer , complication , cancer , physical therapy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , brachial plexus
The aim of this case report is to inform clinicians about radiation‐induced brachial plexopathy, a rare complication that often presents well after treatment with inconsistent symptoms and manifestations. It is often a diagnosis of exclusion when a neoplastic or other cause cannot be identified. Electrodiagnostic testing is particularly useful. Here, the results of a standardized grip and pinch strength assessment and dexterity test are presented in a woman whose symptoms first appeared 20 years after completing treatments for stage IIIA breast cancer.