Isolated medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve injury after blunt trauma: a case report

BackgroundThe medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve is a branch of the brachial plexus that contains C8-T1 segments. Injury of this nerve by various mechanisms has been reported in the literature; however, currently, there is no reported case of medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve injury in the setting of acute blunt trauma.Case presentationThis case report presents the case of a 34-year-old Persian female with dysesthesia and pain in the medial side of the forearm immediately following a blunt trauma by mechanism of elbow external rotation. On electrodiagnostic evaluation, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve sensory nerve action potential of the symptomatic side had a significant amplitude drop (more than 50%), compared with the other side. On follow-up electrodiagnosis, after several sessions of physical therapy, the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve sensory nerve action potential still had a significant amplitude difference.ConclusionBlunt trauma can be one of the causes of medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve involvement. An electrodiagnostic study can be helpful in the diagnosis of this nerve injury after blunt trauma.

Automated summary

This case report describes a 34-year-old Persian female who presented with dysesthesia and pain in the medial side of the forearm after blunt trauma. Electrodiagnostic evaluation revealed a significant drop in the amplitude of the medial antebrachial cutaneous nerve sensory nerve action potential on the affected side. Follow-up electrodiagnosis showed a persistent significant amplitude difference after physical therapy sessions.