neuralgic amyotrophy

Last reviewed 01/2018

Neuralgic amyotrophy is a relatively common disorder characterised by the acute onset of shoulder pain and weakness. Often, the pathology or site of the lesion is not known. It is most frequent in young males.

It is to be distinguished from familial brachial neuritis which is associated with abnormalities of peripheral nerves - thickened myelin sheaths.

Reference:

  • Lindsay, 'Neurology and Neurosurgery', 2010, Churchill Livingstone
  • Bannister, 'Brain and Bannister's Clinical Neurology', (1992 - reprinted 2004), OMP.