Biomaterial Database

Brachial plexopathy complicating central venous catheter insertion. 1983

D A Joyce, and E G Stewart-Wynne

After insertion of a central venous catheter by the infraclavicular approach to the subclavian vein, a patient had clinical and electrophysiological evidence of injury to the lower cord of the brachial plexus. Therefore, brachial plexopathy joins the other known forms of local vascular and neurological injury which can complicate this procedure. The apparent rarity of brachial plexus injury may either be due to the anatomical distance between the plexus and the point of catheter insertion or the subtle neurological deficit may escape detection.

UI	MeSH Term	Description	Entries
D008875	Middle Aged	An adult aged 45 - 64 years.	Middle Age
D001917	Brachial Plexus	The large network of nerve fibers which distributes the innervation of the upper extremity. The brachial plexus extends from the neck into the axilla. In humans, the nerves of the plexus usually originate from the lower cervical and the first thoracic spinal cord segments (C5-C8 and T1), but variations are not uncommon.	Plexus, Brachial
D002408	Catheters, Indwelling	Catheters designed to be left within an organ or passage for an extended period of time.	Implantable Catheters,In-Dwelling Catheters,Catheter, In-Dwelling,Catheter, Indwelling,Catheters, In-Dwelling,In Dwelling Catheters,In-Dwelling Catheter,Indwelling Catheter,Indwelling Catheters
D005260	Female		Females
D006801	Humans	Members of the species Homo sapiens.	Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D013350	Subclavian Vein	The continuation of the axillary vein which follows the subclavian artery and then joins the internal jugular vein to form the brachiocephalic vein.	Subclavian Veins,Vein, Subclavian,Veins, Subclavian