SÍNDROME DEL ESPACIO CUADRILÁTERO: ¿INFRECUENTE O INSOSPECHADO? Quadrilateral space syndrome: infrequent or unsuspected?
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31051/1852.8023.v8.n2.14372Keywords:
espacio cuadrilátero, omalgia, electromiografía, redondo menor, nervio axilar, quadrilateral space, electromyography, teres minor, axillary nerve.Abstract
Introducción: El síndrome del espacio cuadrilátero (QSS) es un cuadro clínico causado por la compresión nerviosa y/o vascular a nivel del espacio axilar lateral. La prevalencia de este síndrome se desconoce y se cree que es baja, sin embargo, formas de presentación incompleta podrían llevar a que el mismo sea subdiagnosticado. Objetivo: Describir un protocolo diagnóstico utilizado en una serie de casos consecutivos de pacientes con omalgia inespecífica y sospecha de QSS. Materiales y Métodos: De manera prospectiva se evaluaron 10 pacientes con omalgia agravada con la rotación externa forzada, uno de ellos con síntomas bilaterales. Se realizó electromiografía (EMG) de deltoides y redondo menor bilaterales, con estudios de conducción nerviosa. Los valores se compararon con el hombro sano, y con un grupo control. El diagnóstico se confirmó mediante resonancia magnética nuclear (RMN). Resultados: El EMG mostró en todos los casos atrapamiento con compromiso axonal de la rama para el redondo menor, con preservación de la inervación del deltoides. La RMN mostró en los 11 hombros afectados atrofia selectiva del redondo menor. Conclusión: El QSS en sus formas incompletas suele ser subdiagnosticado, siendo necesario mantener un alto índice de sospecha clínica frente a un cuadro de omalgia inespecífica. Palabras Claves: espacio cuadrilátero, omalgia, electromiografía, redondo menor, nervio axilar.
Introduction: The quadrilateral space syndrome (QSS) has clinical features caused by a nervous and /or vascular compression at the lateral axillary space. The prevalence of this syndrome is unknown but it is believed to be low. Nevertheless, some cases with an incomplete clinical presentation might be misdiagnosed. Purpose: To describe a diagnostic protocol used in a series of consecutive cases of patients with non-specific omalgia and suspected QSS. Materials and Methods: Ten patients of both genders suffering shoulder pain aggravated by forced external rotation were prospectively evaluated. One of them had bilateral symptoms. Evaluation included clinical examination, electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies of the deltoid and teres minor bilaterally. The results were compared with an age-matched control group. Diagnosis was confirmed by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Results: The EMG showed in all the cases a selective entrapment of the branch for the teres minor, with preservation of the innervation of the deltoid. The RMN showed in the 11 affected shoulders selective atrophy of the teres minor. Conclusion: Incomplete presentations of the QSS are usually underdiagnosed, making it necessary to maintain a high index of clinical suspicion in front of any non-specific omalgia case. Key words: quadrilateral space, omalgia, electromyography, teres minor, axillary nerve.
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