Bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy: A case report

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Isolated musculocutaneous nerve injury is a rare condition. Herein, we report the first case of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy after vigorous stretching of both upper extremities with normal results of sensory nerve action potential. Clinicians should be aware of this rare condition that can appear bilaterally. In addition, the interpretation of the aberrant electrodiagnostic study results of this case was discussed.

CASE SUMMARY

A 29-year-old male complaining of bilateral forearm tingling and upper extremity weakness visited the outpatient clinic. The symptoms began 6 mo prior, and he visited another hospital before visiting our department. The diagnosis was not made even after cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging, electrodiagnostic study, brain magnetic resonance imaging, and arteriography were conducted. The patient performed unique exercises that stretched the pectoralis minor and coracobrachialis muscles. On the follow-up electrodiagnostic study, abnormal spontaneous activities in the bilateral biceps and brachialis muscles were observed. The patient was diagnosed with bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy. Steroid pulse therapy was administered for approximately 6 wk. After treatment, his muscle strength returned to the predisease condition.

CONCLUSION

Clinicians should be aware of this condition, have adequate understanding of anatomy, and advise to correct inappropriate exercises.

Key Words: Musculocutaneous nerve, Peripheral neuropathy, Electrodiagnosis, Exercise, Diagnosis, Case report

Core Tip: We report the first case of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy after vigorous stretching of both upper extremities with normal results of sensory nerve action potential. We recommend clinicians be aware of this rare condition that can occur bilaterally. In addition, the interpretation of aberrant electrodiagnostic study results of this case is discussed.

INTRODUCTION

Isolated musculocutaneous nerve injury is a rare condition and generally associated with brachial plexopathy[1]. In previous reports, isolated musculocutaneous injury occurred after intense physical activity, repeated strenuous upper extremity activity[2,3], after quick and strong movements[4], trauma[5], surgery[6], wrestling, or incorrect pitching by a pitcher[7,8]. Musculocutaneous lesions usually occur proximal to the biceps and brachialis muscles[9]. The most common lesion site is the coracobra-chialis muscle[9]. Due to hypertrophy or powerful contraction of the muscle, mechanical and ischemic nerve injury can occur[9]. In previous reports, patients presented with unilateral arm symptoms.

Electrodiagnostic evaluation is important for diagnosing peripheral neuropathy. Appropriate electrodiagnostic evaluation is needed for differential diagnosis[10]. Peripheral nerves respond to injury in various ways, and test findings are different depending on the timing of the test[11]. Furthermore, peripheral neuropathy has neurapraxic nature and is often self-resolving[5]. Therefore, performing and interpreting electrodiagnostic studies properly can be difficult during diagnosing neuropathy.

Herein, we report a case of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy after vigorous stretching of both upper extremities with normal results of sensory nerve action potential (SNAP). Because the importance of various stretching and exercise is emphasized, we recommend clinicians be aware of this rare condition that can occur bilaterally. In addition, the interpretation of the aberrant electrodiagnostic study results in this case is discussed.

CASE PRESENTATION

Chief complaints

A 29-year-old male complaining of bilateral forearm tingling and bilateral upper extremity weakness visited the outpatient clinic of our department.

History of present illness

His primary symptoms were bilateral forearm tingling and pain. These symptoms began 6 mo prior to the visit. Within a few days, bilateral upper extremity weakness also began. There was no improvement in symptoms for several weeks. Thus, he visited the neurology department of another hospital. Under suspicion of radiculopathy, cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with enhancement and electrodiagnostic study were performed. However, abnormalities were not found. During the follow-up period at that hospital, brain MRI, computed tomography, and arteriography of the left upper extremity were performed, but a diagnosis could not be made.

Later, when the patient visited the hospital, he complained of bilateral forearm tingling, weakness, and bilateral arm muscle spasms.

History of past illness

The patient was not taking any medications and had no previous diagnoses. The patient did not have any history of hospitalization or surgery.

Personal and family history

He had no familial history of congenital, allergic, or systemic disease. The patient smoked approximately half a pack of cigarettes a day for 5 years and did not drink alcohol.

Physical examination

On physical examination, no external wound was observed. The circumference of both arms was not different and distinct atrophy of biceps or deltoid muscles was not present. The range of motion for both shoulders and elbow joints was not limited. The pain was not aggravated by movement.

Paresthesia was present in both forearms, but the symptom site did not match with peripheral nerve distribution or cervical root dermatome. Manual muscle testing was grade 5 throughout the right and left upper extremities except in bilateral elbow and shoulder flexion. Manual muscle test of bilateral elbow and shoulder flexion showed grade 4. The patient could flex both his elbows with a 2 kg dumbbell but not with a 5 kg. The deep tendon reflex of both bicep muscles was symmetrically decreased.

Before the symptoms began, he started working out at a fitness center. He did weight training, which is commonly practiced. However, he extensively stretched his pectoralis minor muscles. Figure 1 shows the stretching exercise of the pectoralis minor that the patient described. Both shoulder joints were mildly extended, 90° externally rotated, and 45° abducted. Both scapulae were retracted, and the elbow joints were bent approximately 90°. The patient placed his elbows on the wall right next to the door and pushed his trunk forward.

Figure 1 Stretching exercise of the pectoralis minor muscle. Both shoulder joints were mildly extended, 90° externally rotated, and 45° abducted. Both scapulae were retracted and the elbow joints were bent approximately 90°. The patient placed his elbows on the wall right next to the door and pushed his trunk forward.

Laboratory examinations

There were no abnormalities in laboratory tests including complete blood count, electro profile, liver function test, kidney function test, routine urine analysis, blood coagulation test, and thyroid function test. Acetylcholine receptor antibody, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, C-reactive protein, vitamin B12, and folate were within normal limits. In addition, blood calcium, ionized calcium, creatine kinase, and phosphate were within normal limits.

Tables 1 and 2 show the electrodiagnostic study of the patient. Bilateral axillary, musculocutaneous, median, and ulnar compound motor action potential (CMAP) were within normal limits. Bilateral median, ulnar, and bilateral lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP were within normal limits. Bilateral median F-waves were within normal limits. Electromyography of the bilateral upper extremities showed abnormal spontaneous activities in the bilateral biceps and brachialis muscles with reduced recruitment and interference pattern. These electrophysiologic findings were indicative of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy.

Table 1 Electrodiagnostic study: Nerve conduction study.

Nerve conduction (sensory)	Recording site	Stimulation site	Peak latency (ms)	Amplitude (μV)	Distance (cm)	Conduction velocity (m/s)	Nerve conduction (motor)	Recording site	Stimulation site	Onset latency (ms)	Amplitude (mV)	Distance (cm)	Conduction velocity (m/s)
Right median	Index finger	Palm	1.65	49.9	7	60.9	Right median	APB	Wrist	2.80	8.4
		Wrist	2.90	54.8	7	63.6			Antecubital	6.25	8.3	22	63.8
Left median	Index finger	Palm	1.60	59.8	7	63.6	Left median	APB	Wrist	2.95	8.3
		Wrist	2.80	59.7	7	66.7			Antecubital	6.50	8.3	22	62.0
Right ulnar	Small finger	Wrist	2.70	44.0	13	63.4	Right ulnar	ADM	Wrist	2.05	8.3
Left ulnar	Small finger	Wrist	2.90	37.0	14	59.6			Below elbow	5.85	8.8	23	60.5
Right lateral antebrachial	Lateral forearm	12 cm proximal	2.40	13.5	11	57.9	Left ulnar	ADM	Wrist	2.15	5.8
Left lateral antebrachial	Lateral forearm	12 cm proximal	2.60	18.8	13	63.4			Below elbow	6.00	7.4	22	57.1
Right medial antebrachial	Medial forearm	12 cm proximal	2.30	12.6	11	66.7	Right ulnar	ADM	Wrist	2.25	8.2
Left medial antebrachial	Medial forearm	12 cm proximal	2.40	19.9	12	64.9	(Post-exercise)		Below elbow	5.95	8.4	23	62.2
							Left ulnar	ADM	Wrist	2.45	8.1
							(Post-exercise)		Below elbow	6.15	9.6	23	62.2
							Right axillary	Deltoid	Erb’s point	3.65	8.6
							Left axillary	Deltoid	Erb’s point	4.05	7.2
							Right musculocutaneous	Biceps	Erb’s point	4.25	2.4
							Left musculocutaneous	Biceps	Erb’s point	4.05	1.3

ADM: Abductor digiti minimi; APB: Abductor pollicis brevis. Bold text indicates abnormal findings.

Table 2 Electrodiagnostic study: Electromyography.

Muscle	Spontaneous	MUAP	Recruitment pattern	Interference pattern	Muscle	Spontaneous	MUAP	Recruitment pattern	Interference pattern
(Right)	Positive sharp wave				(Left)	Positive sharp wave
APB	None	Normal	Normal	Full	APB	None	Normal	Normal	Full
First DI	None	Normal	Normal	Full	First DI	None	Normal	Normal	Full
ECRL	None	Normal	Normal	Full	ECRL	None	Normal	Normal	Full
FCR	None	Normal	Normal	Full	FCR	None	Normal	Normal	Full
Biceps	2+	Normal	Reduced	Reduced	Biceps	2+	Normal	Reduced	Reduced
Brachialis	1+	Normal	Reduced	Full	Brachialis	1+	Normal	Reduced	Full
Infraspinatus	None	Normal	Normal	Full	Infraspinatus	None	Normal	Normal	Full
Deltoid	None	Normal	Normal	Full	Deltoid	None	Normal	Normal	Full
Triceps	None	Normal	Normal	Full	Triceps	None	Normal	Normal	Full
Cervical Paraspinal	None	NA	NA	NA	Cervical Paraspinal	None	NA	NA	NA

APB: Abductor pollicis brevis; DI: Dorsal interosseous; ECRL: Extensor carpi radialis longus; FCR: Flexor carpi radialis; MUAP: Motor unit action potential. Bold texts indicate abnormal findings.

Tables 3 and 4 show the patient’s electrodiagnostic study performed at a previous hospital approximately 4 mo before the follow-up study. Compared with Table 3, Table 1 shows that amplitude of each musculocutaneous CMAP was decreased.

Table 3 Electrodiagnostic study from previous hospital: Nerve conduction studies.

Nerve conduction (sensory)	Recording site	Recording site	Stimulation site	Onset latency (ms)1	Amplitude (μV)	Nerve conduction (motor)	Recording site	Stimulation site	Onset latency (ms)	Amplitude (mV)	Distance (cm)	Conduction velocity (m/s)
Left median	Index finger	Index finger	Wrist	2.29	71.8	Left median	APB	Wrist	3.18	12.1
Left ulnar	Small finger	Small finger	Wrist	2.34	49.8			Antecubital	6.77	12.4	19	52.9
Left radial	Thumb	Thumb	12 cm proximal	1.82	36.3	Left ulnar	ADM	Wrist	2.24	11.0
Right medial antebrachial	Medial forearm	Medial forearm	12 cm proximal	1.93	15.9			Below elbow	5.73	11.6	19	54.4
Left medial antebrachial	Medial forearm	Medial forearm	12 cm proximal	1.61	15.8	Right axillary	Deltoid	Erb’s point	3.70	3.6
						Left axillary	Deltoid	Erb’s point	4.38	3.2
						Right musculocutaneous	Biceps	Erb’s point	5.31	3.8
						Left musculocutaneous	Biceps	Erb’s point	4.95	5.1

¹This test was performed at another hospital and latency of sensory nerve action potential was evaluated with onset latency.

ADM: Abductor digiti minimi; APB: Abductor pollicis brevis.

Table 4 Electrodiagnostic study from previous hospital: Electromyography.

Muscle (Left)	Spontaneous	MUAP analysis	Recruitment pattern	Interference pattern
	Positive sharp wave
First DI	None	Normal	Normal	Full
ADM	None	Normal	Normal	Full
FCU	None	Normal	Normal	Full

ADM: Abductor digiti minimi; DI: Dorsal interosseous; FCU: Flexor carpi ulnaris; MUAP: Motor unit action potential.

Imaging examinations

As mentioned above, electrophysiologic findings were indicative of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy. To confirm the diagnosis, MRI of both arms was performed.

Figures 2 and 3 showed the MRI of both arms and brachial plexus of the patient. Significant abnormality was not observed in either brachial plexus and distal peripheral nerves.

Figure 2 Right arm and brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging. A: Transverse view; B: Coronal view. Significant abnormality was not observed in the right brachial plexus and distal peripheral nerves.

Figure 3 Left arm and brachial plexus magnetic resonance imaging. A: Transverse view; B: Coronal view. Significant abnormality was not observed in the left brachial plexus and distal peripheral nerves.

Figure 4 showed the patient’s cervical spine MRI performed at a previous hospital approximately 6 mo before the visit to our clinic. Specific abnormalities were not observed on cervical spine MRI.

Figure 4 Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging taken at a previous hospital. A: Transverse view; B: Sagittal view. Specific abnormalities were not observed on cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging.

FINAL DIAGNOSIS

Final diagnosis of the presented case was bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy with active denervation.

TREATMENT

Steroid pulse therapy was administered for treatment. For the first 2 d, the patient was prescribed 64 mg of triamcinolone (Ledercort^®). The following 2 d, 48 mg of triamcinolone was prescribed and 32 mg for the following 3 d. During the treatment period, 30 mg of lansoprazole (Lanston LFTD^®), a proton-pump inhibitor, was prescribed daily.

A week after diagnosis, the patient visited the outpatient clinic. His strength improved sufficiently to perform elbow flexion with a 5 kg dumbbell. Because his strength did not recover to the predisease level, he was prescribed an additional 24 mg of triamcinolone for 2 d, 16 mg for 2 d, 8 mg for 3 d, and 4 mg for 4 d.

OUTCOME AND FOLLOW-UP

On the follow-up visit after 11 d, the patient stated he was slightly improving and had started stretching exercise again. He was instructed not to perform the stretching, and 5 mg intramuscular injection of hydroxocobalamin (Lanobin^®) was administered. Another 4 mg of triamcinolone and 30 mg of duloxetine hydrochloride (Cymbalta^®) was prescribed for an additional 4 wk.

On the last follow-up visit after 4 wk, his muscle strength returned to the predisease condition. Informed written consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this report and any accompanying images.

DISCUSSION

In the present case report, the diagnosis of a patient with bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy was described. We would like to discuss the anatomy, etiology, diagnostic consideration, and differential diagnosis of this rare case.

The musculocutaneous nerve originates from the brachial plexus lateral cord and consists of fibers from the fifth, sixth, and seventh roots of the cervical spinal nerve. Furthermore, the components of the fifth and sixth cervical spinal nerve roots contribute primarily to the musculocutaneous nerve[12,13]. It passes through the coracobrachialis muscle and travels between the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles that it innervates[12]. The nerve becomes the lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve between these muscles near the lateral margin of the bicipital aponeurosis[14]. The nerve is usually injured at the level of the coracobrachialis muscle and generally patients with this type of injury present with pain and weakness of the biceps brachii and paresthesia of the forearm[13,15].

Various injury mechanisms for musculocutaneous neuropathy have been described. Prolonged positioning of the arm during surgery, direct injury to the nerve during surgery, repetitive vigorous upper extremity activity such as lifting, throwing, or carrying may be the etiology of musculocutaneous neuropathy[9]. In addition, a single event of forceful extension of the arm could also be a causative factor[4].

A case of musculocutaneous nerve injury after repeated sessions of skydiving simulation in a wind-tunnel was also reported[1]. Similar to our patient, the subject placed her arms in an abducted, extended, and externally rotated position while experiencing freefall. Our patient repetitively stretched his pectoralis minor muscles with both shoulder joints mildly extended, 90° externally rotated, and 45° abducted. In addition, during the follow-up period when the patient performed the stretching exercise again, his muscle strength recovery was slow. After he was advised to not perform the stretching exercise, the muscle strength recovery was noticeably faster. Therefore, we postulated his stretching exercise was the etiology of the bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy. The coracobrachialis muscle originates from the coracoid process of the scapula and inserts into the anteromedial surface of the humerus[16]. The stretching exercise shown in Figure 1 may have lengthened his coracobrachialis. Consequently, the musculocutaneous nerve passing through the coracobrachialis muscle might be squeezed. Furthermore, repetitive stretching may have caused the pathological insult and the resulting neuropathy.

Electrodiagnostic studies play an important role in diagnosing peripheral neuropathy[17]. The electrodiagnostic findings in the present case report showed that amplitude of each musculocutaneous CMAP was decreased compared with a previous study. In addition, we performed a nerve conduction study of the bilateral lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerve and needle electromyography of the biceps brachii, brachialis, and deltoid muscles. Proper evaluation of muscles and nerves based on presenting symptoms is important.

In general, electrodiagnostic findings of musculocutaneous neuropathy include abnormalities of lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP, musculocutaneous CMAP, and electromyography abnormalities of the biceps brachii and brachialis muscles[9]. However, in our case, lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP was within normal limits. There are two probable explanations for the test results.

First, because SNAP is detectable later than CMAP after peripheral nerve injury[11], the SNAP amplitude possibly decreased but might have not yet reached the upper normal limit at that time point. In a previous case report, Kissel et al[9] reported an electrodiagnostic study should be performed 10-21 d after peripheral nerve injury. At this time, the specific lesion extent and amount of axonal loss can be assessed[9]. However, the mechanism of injury in the present case was not due to single insult. Because the nerve damage occurred due to numerous repetitive stretching, the injury might have acute-on-chronic trait. Therefore, conducting an electrodiagnostic study at the appropriate time was difficult.

Second, the lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP values can be interpreted as abnormal. In general, electrodiagnostic studies are conducted with left-right comparison. However, in some cases when left-right comparison cannot be performed, the results are interpreted by comparison with other intact nerves[18]. The reference values of lateral and medial antebrachial cutaneous SNAP are shown in Table 5[19]. The upper normal limit of lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP is approximately 60% greater than of medial antebrachial cutaneous SNAP. In the current case, the amplitude of right and left lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP (13.5 μV and 12.6 μV, respectively) was proportionally smaller than of medial antebrachial cutaneous SNAP (12.6 μV and 19.9 μV, respectively). However, lateral antebrachial cutaneous SNAP has never been compared with medial antebrachial cutaneous SNAP, and appropriate comparison criteria for diagnosis are needed. In addition, the examiner should always remember to correlate the test results in a clinical aspect.

Table 5 Reference values of nerve conduction studies[20].

Nerve conduction (sensory)	Onset latency (ms)	Peak latency (ms)	Amplitude (μV)
Lateral antebrachial cutaneous	1.6-2.1	2.2-2.6	12-50
Medial antebrachial cutaneous		1.7-2.6	10-30

When confirming the diagnosis, excluding other possible differential diagnoses is also necessary. In the present case report, biceps tendon injury or rupture and strain or tear of the biceps or brachialis muscle should have also been considered as differential diagnoses[9]. In case of biceps tendon injury or rupture or strain or tear of the biceps or brachialis muscles, sensory changes would not be observed. In the present case, the patient had sensory symptoms in both forearms. Furthermore, hematoma or muscle injury was not observed on the MRI of both arms[9]. In addition, cervical radiculopathy involving the fifth or sixth spinal nerve root, should have been considered as a differential diagnosis[9]. If the patient had cervical radiculopathy, sensory change would have matched the dermatome of the fifth or sixth spinal nerve root. Furthermore, other muscles supplied by the fifth or sixth spinal nerve root, such as deltoids and supraspinatus muscles, would also have been weak[20]. In addition, the patient did not show specific abnormalities on cervical spine MRI. Brachial plexus injury should also have been excluded for definite diagnosis. In general, patients with brachial plexus injury present with broader distributions of sensory change and muscle weakness in upper extremities. Therefore, the differential diagnoses described above were less likely to be applicable to our patient.

The present case report had several limitations. First, the radiologist reported no abnormalities on MRI of the bilateral arm and brachial plexus. MRI is a static diagnostic tool and performing proper nerve tracing based on the patient’s movement is difficult. For a more accurate diagnosis, the nerve route could have been traced to detect any entrapment. Second, there is a previous report of a recreational parachutist presenting with bilateral arm weakness, who was later found to have hereditary neuropathy with predisposition to pressure palsies[21]. The patient in the present case report was also likely to have hereditary neuropathy with predisposition to pressure palsies. Because the pressure applied during recreational parachuting is greater than the compression during the stretching exercise, we could have recommended testing the PMP22 gene.

CONCLUSION

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first reported case of bilateral musculocutaneous neuropathy. Although rare, clinicians should take this disease into consideration when conducting electrodiagnostic studies and be aware the condition may appear bilaterally. Furthermore, people can usually access various exercises and stretching methods through the internet. However, some exercises can cause complications. Clinicians should have adequate understanding of anatomy and give appropriate advice.