Man-In-The-Barrel Syndrome: Acute bilateral brachial plexopathy after recurrent microtrauma

• Published in: Journal of the Pakistan Medical Association 2019-05, Vol.69 (5), p.725-727
• Main Authors: Vural, Gonul, Gumusyayla, Sadiye, Bektas, Hesna, Akdeniz, Gulsum
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Action Potentials; Anti-Inflammatory Agents - therapeutic use; Brachial Plexus - injuries; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - diagnosis; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - drug therapy; Brachial Plexus Neuropathies - etiology; Electromyography; Humans; Male; Methylprednisolone - therapeutic use; Microtrauma, Physical - complications; Middle Aged; Muscle strength; Neural Conduction; Neurophysiology; Occupational Injuries - complications; Paralysis; Spinal cord; Syndrome
• ISSN: 0030-9982

The presence of brachial diplegia despite the normal muscular strength of the lower extremities is called the man-in-the-barrel syndrome (MIBS). Although this rare syndrome often occurs due to the bilateral supratentorial brain lesions, it may also rarely occur as a result of infratentorial causes. In this report, we describe a case presenting with MIBS of which etiological underlying cause was bilateral brachial plexopathy developed secondarily to recurrent microtrauma. A 51-year-old male patient presented to our clinic with complaints of pain and weakness on both arms. After electrodiagnostic examination, bilateral brachial plexopathy was identified. The findings of the patient improved following methylprednisolone therapy. It is very important to determine the treatable causes of this syndrome at an early stage.