Jacques Machol IV1,
Rupeng Li2, Patrick Hettinger3, Nicholas Flugstad3,
Ji-Geng Yan3, Hani Matloub3, James S. Hyde2
1Plastic
Surgery , Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; 2Biophysics,
Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States; 3Plastic
Surgery, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, United States
In the case of severe brachial plexus root avulsion injuries, the contralateral C7 (cC7) nerve root is identified as a possible donor for nerve transfer. It is of interest to the peripheral nerve surgeon as to how the cC7 root can serve as a spare nerve. This study uses BOLD fMRI to elucidate the linear relationship in the sensory C7 nerve root cortical map makeup of each major upper limb nerve (ulnar, median, radial, and musculocutaneous) by means of sensory stimulation. This investigation helps to expound why C7 is a suitable donor for brachial plexus injury treatment.
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