Utility of magnetic resonance imaging in the diagnosis of unsuspected cases of Parsonage-Turner syndrome: two case reports

INTRODUCTION MRI is becoming increasingly important in the evaluation of shoulder pain, especially in the diagnosis of rotator cuff injuries and conditions that mimic them. Parsonage-Turner syndrome is a well-defined clinical entity that presents with acute-onset shoulder pain and weakness, often first recognized on magnetic resonance imaging scans. CASE PRESENTATION We studied magnetic resonance imaging features of two Asian men (ages 24 and 31 years) who presented with variable-onset shoulder pain and weakness. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed increased T2-weighted signal intensity of supraspinatus and infraspinatus muscles in both patients. CONCLUSION Magnetic resonance imaging findings are distinctive, although nonspecific, in cases of Parsonage-Turner syndrome, and knowledge of the imaging and clinical features of this disease enable clinicians to arrive at the correct diagnosis and guide appropriate management.