A CARE-compliant article: a case report of idiopathic brachial neuritis treated with ultrasound-guided electroacupuncture

Rationale: Electroacupuncture is commonly used for treating nerve injury. However, studies published in recent years have not described an appropriate method for accurately identifying the location and depth of injured nerves beneath the acupoints. Patient concerns: A 26-year-old male patient had left shoulder pain and weakness after tetanus, diphtheria, and pertussis vaccination and was diagnosed with idiopathic brachial neuritis 24 months before this study. The patient had undergone prednisone and ibuprofen treatment in another hospital, but the therapeutic effect was poor and limited. Diagnoses: The nerve conduction studies showed decreased amplitude over the left supraspinatus and deltoid muscles. Electromyography showed increased giant waves and polyphasic waves with reduced recruitments in the left deltoid muscle and increased giant waves with reduced recruitment in the left supraspinatus muscle. The condition was diagnosed with idiopathic brachial neuritis. Interventions: Ultrasound was used to identify the location and depth of axillary and suprascapular nerves, and direct electroacupuncture was conducted at the quadrangular space and suprascapular notch to stimulate the nerves. Other needles were placed according to deltoid and supraspinatus muscles origins and insertions. The procedure was conducted once a week, and rehabilitation activities were conducted daily. Outcomes: The patient experienced significant improvements of left shoulder pain and muscl...
Source: Medicine - Category: Internal Medicine Tags: Research Article: Clinical Case Report Source Type: research