Bilateral Parsonage-Turner Syndrome After Initial Unilateral Presentation: A Case Report

Abstract

Parsonage-Turner syndrome (PTS) is a clinical syndrome characterized by rapid onset of upper extremity pain typically followed by varying degrees of weakness and atrophy. In this case, we discuss a 54-year-old female who developed severe right upper extremity pain soon after receiving a shingles vaccine, which was then followed by weakness and atrophy. Thorough medical workup was unrevealing, as it was too early to see electromyography (EMG) changes. Nine months later she presented to the hospital again with a similar presentation of the contralateral upper extremity. EMG findings at that time were supportive of a PTS diagnosis. This report discusses the clinical variability, etiology, and treatment of PTS, as well as some diagnostic complexities and how they were overcome to diagnose this patient.