United Brachial Plexus Network, Inc.

Hi everyone,

Hope everybody is hanging in there. All right here it is. I am as confused as can be about know. I tried to get the only doc. in Ga. that knows about TBPI to give me a list of all the test that were needed to get an idea of the extent of injury.

Well that worked so good I thought I would get a second opinion.( My first request fell on deaf ears... ).Anyway....What do you all think.? Know that I have a job and money coming in,at least at the moment,I figured I would get all the test done that I could while I have the money. I see it as being dificult knowing that I have no one here that knows how to read the test . I figure if I can at least get quality testing done maybe I can send it somewhere to get it reviewed you know. Anyway I think I have asked this before , but know that I can do it myself screw em ya know. Maybe I could get Christopher to review it. Or any of you guys for that mater. I'm trying to keep up and learn,but I'm flat on my own doing it. These forums are my docs ...Thanks . I learn quick but alot I still don't grasp. Even with Greys Anatomy it still isn't sinking in quit yet. Thanks in

Hey Marshall,

The main test I know of is the EMG (nerve conductivity test). That was the first way we knew all of John's nerves were avulsed, because the signals just weren't getting through. I would think the doctor conducting the test would write up his/her conclusions for you.

John also had another test that involved dye in his spinal column but I can't remember the name of it. It's been almost four years and I am menopausal...so I forget a LOT more than I remember these days. TMI huh?

Good luck,

Ellen

Hi Ellen,

Hah not really.I think I'm getting that way sometime...lol. Yeah thats what I'm looking for. I know some but not the names. Thanks though, I'm adding it to my list. I think MRI's are needed to , but I'm waiting on some more replies to see what I need.Thanks a bunch.....Marshall

Dustin had EMG's and MRI's with contrast. I have heard about the one with the dye in the spine but he never had it.
Sue

That's what "contrast" means, the MRI with the dye.
Marieke (LOBPI)

Hey Marshal,

There are a few different diagnostic tests that are typically done by BPI specialists. Only a couple of them gave me answers that were close to what the actually exploratory surgery discovered. Going in there is the only true way to determine what damage has been done. But that doesn't mean you can't get a better answer than what you've already got (or don't have).

The two that Ellen mentioned are the ones that were best for me. An EMG, Electromyography ( http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency ... 003929.htm ) and a Myelogram ( http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tuto ... /index.htm ). With the Myelogram, the dye is injected into your spinal cord and then the area where your Brachial Plexus roots merge into the spinal cord will be x-rayed and CT Scanned as well to determine if any of the dye leaks out of your spine (where the roots would be pulled out if you have avulsions).

My Drs. in LA thought I had only one nerve root avulsion after two months of MRIs. It wasn't till I had a Myelogram done that I could see the dye billowing out my spine that I knew how severe my injury was (3 avulsions). I've had about 6 different EMGs done. The test results are partly determined by who ever is performing it on you. So getting a good specialist to perform the test is very important. The most accurate EMG I had done was at LSU in New Orleans, I forget the name of the Dr., but he was this very considerate and wise older Englishman that worked with Dr. Kline (LSU's BPI specialist). He found out that my phrenic nerve to my right diaphragm was shot, while Docs in LA thought my right lung was scarred full of blood from being collapsed. Big difference.

I imagine the EMG being the least expensive of the tests, and if done with a good practitioner, it could give accurate results hopefully. The Myelogram is a detailed procedure that would be more expensive I'm sure. Marshall, what ever you do, get the hospital or Dr. to charge you no more than what they agree to charge insurance companies. It's BS that if you don't have insurance you have to pay 3x more. Total BS! If I didn't have insurance when I had my accident, I would have tried to use one of my older brothers insurance cards, like I used to use their drivers license when I was a kid.

Anyway, I hope some of this helps! The search engine on this site works now, so you might find more stuff by searching EMG or Myelogram... who knows.

Best of Luck!

Chris

Marshall, Melanie had many different tests to try to find the extent of her injuries. She had 2 EMG's which seemed to be inconclusive as to how many nerves were avulsed. The MRI was also inconclusive. She had a CT Myelogram in which the dye(contrast) was injected into her spinal canal. It showed at least 4 avulsions but was still inconclusive with C5. It wasn't until they actually did surgery and saw for themselves that all 5 nerves were avulsed. When the do the surgery they do nerve studies right on the nerves themselves to actually check the activity. If you had an EMG done to test the nerves of the brachial plexus, the doctor that performed the test should read it and make the final report. As for the other tests (usually MRIs, CT's, and Myelograms) they should be read and interpretted by a radiologist. A radiologist interpretted Mel's and then the docs at Mayo pulled all of the tests right up on the computer and they explained them to us. Sometimes you really have to be persistant and be your own advocate! Good luck! Sue