Diagnostic accuracy of magnetic resonance imaging in post-traumatic brachial plexus injuries: A systematic review

Abstract

Computed Tomographic Myelography (CTM) is a gold-standard imaging test for evaluating the brachial plexus and has been used for a long time. Another imaging test more recently used is Magnetic Resonance imaging (MRI), which is also part of the plexus evaluation. The purpose of this study was to determine the accuracy of MRI in diagnosing post-traumatic injuries of the brachial plexus. We conducted a Systematic Review with cross-sectional studies of diagnostic accuracy. Studies with populations presenting post-traumatic brachial plexus injury, over 16 years old, both genders, and examined by CT Myelography and MRI were evaluated. The trial resulted in three studies that covered the inclusion criteria. The sample consisted of 46 participants. The tool Quality Assessment of Diagnostic Accuracy Studies (QUADAS-2) was used to evaluate the quality of the studies, and the software RevMan was used to identify the homogeneity of the studies that entered the analysis. The study was registered in PROSPERO under the number CRD42016041720. Studies showed moderate to high risk of bias, with low or very low quality of evidence due to the limitations of studies and differences in comparing the assessment groups. The heterogeneity of the studies made it impossible to create meta-analyzes. MRI has been an excellent test for assessing traumatic brachial plexus injuries in clinical practice; however, the quantitative analysis of studies identified a lack in methodological rigor. Future studies should focus on methodological rigor, providing more accurate assessments of modalities and their benefits.

Keywords: Brachial plexus; Computed tomography myelography; Magnetic resonance imaging.