ICD-11 code : 8B91;
Preferred Label : Brachial plexus disorders;
ICD-11 definition : The brachial plexus is formed by ventral rami of five spinal nerves (C5-T1), which
have motor, sensory and preganglionic sympathetic fibres innervating the upper limb.
These five rami join to form three trunks (upper-C5-C6; middle-C7; lower-C8-T1) which
again divide into six divisions to become three cords (lateral, medial and posterior).
The plexus is vulnerable to trauma at various levels and can be affected by a variety
of diseases because of its close proximity to lymph nodes, blood vessels and lung
parenchyma; diabetes mellitus and vasculitis can also cause brachial plexus dysfunction.
Some cases are considered as an idiopathic brachial plexopathy. Clinical features
depend on whether the entire plexus or a portion of it is involved. In panplexopathy,
the arm hangs lifelessly by the side, the limb is flaccid and areflexic with complete
sensory loss below a line extending from the shoulder diagonally downward and medially
to the middle of upper arm. In lesions of the upper trunk, the arm hangs at the side,
internally rotated at the shoulder, with the elbow extended and the forearm pronated
in a waiter's tip posture. The biceps and brachioradialis reflexes are absent and
sensory loss is found over the lateral aspect of the arm, forearm and thumb. In lesions
of the lower trunk, there is weakness of the intrinsic hand muscles, the finger flexion
reflex is diminished or absent, and there is sensory loss over the two medial fingers
as well as the medial aspect of forearm and hand.;
ICD-11 synonym : brachial plexus disease; brachial plexus syndrome; neuropathic plexus brachialis; brachial plexus neuropathy; BPN - [brachial plexus neuropathy];
ICD-11 acronym : BPN;
ICD-11 inclusion : costoclavicular compression syndrome; brachial plexus pressure; hyperabduction syndrome; Falconer-Weddell syndrome; cervicothoracic outlet syndrome; pectoralis minor syndrome; brachial plexus lesion; scalenus anticus syndrome; lesion of brachial plexus; subcoracoid-pectoralis minor syndrome; compression of brachial plexus; costoclavicular syndrome; axillary paralysis; Naffziger syndrome; brachial plexus irritation;
ICD-11 "other" category code : 8B91.Y;
ICD-11 "unspecified" category code : 8B91.Z;
Origin ID : 1367254559;
UMLS CUI : C0700251;
Automatic exact mappings (from CISMeF team)
- Currated CISMeF NLP mapping
- ICD-10 Mapping
- Semantic type(s)
- UMLS correspondences (same concept)
- Validated automatic mappings to BTNT
The brachial plexus is formed by ventral rami of five spinal nerves (C5-T1), which
have motor, sensory and preganglionic sympathetic fibres innervating the upper limb.
These five rami join to form three trunks (upper-C5-C6; middle-C7; lower-C8-T1) which
again divide into six divisions to become three cords (lateral, medial and posterior).
The plexus is vulnerable to trauma at various levels and can be affected by a variety
of diseases because of its close proximity to lymph nodes, blood vessels and lung
parenchyma; diabetes mellitus and vasculitis can also cause brachial plexus dysfunction.
Some cases are considered as an idiopathic brachial plexopathy. Clinical features
depend on whether the entire plexus or a portion of it is involved. In panplexopathy,
the arm hangs lifelessly by the side, the limb is flaccid and areflexic with complete
sensory loss below a line extending from the shoulder diagonally downward and medially
to the middle of upper arm. In lesions of the upper trunk, the arm hangs at the side,
internally rotated at the shoulder, with the elbow extended and the forearm pronated
in a waiter's tip posture. The biceps and brachioradialis reflexes are absent and
sensory loss is found over the lateral aspect of the arm, forearm and thumb. In lesions
of the lower trunk, there is weakness of the intrinsic hand muscles, the finger flexion
reflex is diminished or absent, and there is sensory loss over the two medial fingers
as well as the medial aspect of forearm and hand.
