[Parsonage-Turner syndrome: Unknown but not infrequent. Apropos of 6 cases].

Abstract

Shoulder pain is a common reason for seeking emergency, primary and specialist care. Parsonage-Turner syndrome should form part of the differential diagnosis of shoulder pain. Familiarity with the clinical and electrophysiological characteristics of this syndrome could help prevent iatrogenic disease. We present 6 cases of Parsonage-Turner syndrome, a syndrome of unknown etiology with a typical clinical picture. All patients had acute onset of the syndrome with intense shoulder pain of approximately 3 weeks duration. After this phase ended, there was noticeable weakness of the affected arm, causing muscular atrophy depending on the muscles affected by the neuropathy. Winged scapula was present in all patients. One patient showed alteration of sensitivity and another showed hemidiaphragmatic paralysis. After a complete physical examination, the patients underwent electromyographic study that confirmed the diagnosis. Analgesic treatment and rehabilitation were prescribed.