LPN: Lateral Pectoral Nerve; NCS: Nerve Conduction Studies; EMG: Electromyography; MRI: Magnetic Resonance Imaging

The lateral pectoral nerve (LPN) sub serves the proximal two thirds of the pectoralis major muscle. It does not contain cutaneous sensory fibers. Clinical findings of lateral pectoral nerve injury include asymmetry of chest wall associated with atrophy and weakness of the pectoralis major muscle. Mononeuropathy of the lateral pectoral nerve occurs less frequently [1-4]. In this report we present two cases of progressive atrophy and weakness of the clavicular part of pectoralis major muscle innervated by lateral pectoral nerve.

A twenty-six years old man, who had progressive atrophy of the right clavicular portion of pectoralis major muscle accompanied by pain on the right chest and shoulder for three months, was referred to our neurology outpatient clinic. He was a worker of an automotive plant. He had been working in a leaning position at a narrow place with his right arm stretched out. At this position he had to lean up and forward and pounding tools were causing an intermittent but chronic load on the right side of his chest and his right shoulder. On a followup physical examination, asymmetry of the lateral pectoral region was noted due to moderate atrophy of the pars clavicularis of the right pectoralis major muscle (Figures 1 and 2). There was no tenderness on the chest or shoulder. Motor strength, deep tendon reflexes and sensation of the upper extremites were normal. Nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstrated prolonged motor latency and decreased amplitude of the right lateral pectoral nerve. (Right 3.3 ms and 2,4 mV; Left 2.1 ms and 6.3 mV) (Table 1). Needle electromyography (EMG) of the right clavicular portion of pectoralis major muscle revealed a few denervation potentials, increased number of polyphasic motor units with decreased recruitment and suggestive of an axonal injury. EMGs of the other muscles were within normal limits, as were NCS of the upper extremities. Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the cervical spinal cord and brachial plexus were normal. Following a period of physiotherapy including soft tissue mobilization in combination with exercise program and changes in labor circumstances, the patient progressively recovered normal muscle bulk in approximately six months.

Figure 1: Pronounced areolar asymmetry due to atrophy of right pectoral muscle in case 1.

Figure 2: Pronounced areolar asymmetry due to atrophy of right pectoral muscle in case 2.

Table 1: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstration.

A twenty-two years old man noticed progressive wasting and weakness of his right chest muscle. Six months earlier, the patient had undertaken a rigorous, intensive program of supervised, kick-boxing training, involving repeated fists to the region between the chest and the shoulder. Examination showed moderate atrophy with visible contraction of the pars clavicularis of the right pectoralis major muscle. (Figures 3 and 4). Motor strength, deep tendon reflexes and sensation of the upper extremites were normal. NCS demonstrated prolonged motor latency and decreased amplitude of the right lateral pectoral nerve (Right 3.5 ms, 2.1 mV; Left 2.2 ms, 5.9 mV) (Table 2). EMG of pars clavicularis of the right pectoralis major muscle revealed dense denervation activity decreased voluntary motor unit potentials (MUAPs) which were of polyphasic. EMG and NCS of the other muscles and nerves of the upper extremities were normal. MRI of the cervical spinal cord and brachial plexus were normal. The patient received physiotherapy and rested the affected regions; there was mild atrophy of the right pectoralis major muscle at his sixth month followup.

Figure 3: Lateral pectoral nerve conduction in a normal control subjects. (A) Needle (upper trace) and surface (lower trace) recording in the pectoralis major muscle by Erb stimulation. (B) Needle (upper trace) and surface (lower trace) recording in the pectoralis major muscle by axilla stimulation.

Figure 4: Lateral pectoral nerve conduction in a patient with unilateral brachial plexopathy by Erb stimulation. Note the prolonged motor conduction time at the pathological side.

Table 2: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) demonstration.

Isolated injury of lateral pectoral nerve is unusual. In the literature there are cases described and attributed to nerve damage as a result of traction injuries, seat belt trauma and as a complication of mastectomy [1-3]. Two cases of non-acute damage to the lateral pectoral nerve were recently described by Gardetto in whom there were gradual development of focal pectoralis atrophy and weakness for two years following initiation of a high intensity weight training program [4].

Our cases were exposed to external forces on the nerve between chest and shoulder while using a tool, or repetitive fists in a certain manner for a long period. The lateral pectoral nerve (LPN-lateral anterior thoracic) arises from the lateral cord of the brachial plexus, and through it from the fifth, sixth, and seventh cervical nerves. It passes across the axillary artery and vein, pierces the coracoclavicular fascia, and is distributed to the deep surface of the pectoralis major muscle. In our cases the sternocostal part of the muscle innervated by the medial pectoral nerve was spared.

Anatomical studies of this region showed that the nerve branches of the lateral pectoral nerve, having to pierce through a connective tissue septum that is thicker here by a few millimetres, may be subjected to a risk of compression [5]. In both of the cases there was no contraction of the clavicular part of pectoralis major muscle which is innervated by the lateral pectoral nerve. Based on the anatomy of the lateral pectoral nerves and medical history in the cases, the possible pathogenic mechanism causing traumatization of the lateral pectoral nerve is an external local mechanical compression due to sports or occupational activities. These forceful repetitive traumas can heavily stretch or compress the lateral pectoral nerve while it passes through the thick clavipectoral fascia of the pectoralis major muscle. These traumatizations are also believed to cause intraneuronal ischemia and edema resulting nerve dysfunction [6]. Physiotherapy including exercise program to strengthen, resting the affected part, changes in the design of workstation or sport activities may also prevent further damage and permit recovery.

1. Birds SJ, Brown MJ (1996) Acute focal neuropathy in male weight lifters. Muscle Nerve 19: 897-899.
2. Marrero JL, Goldfine LJ (1989) Isolated lateral pectoral nerve injury: trauma from a seat belt. Arch Phys Med Rehabil 70: 239-240.
3. Giannini F, Cioni R, Paradiso C, Rossi S, D’ Aniello C, et al. (1992) Neurophysiological evaluation of pectoralis major muscle after mastectomy. Int Rev Neurobiol 38: 407-412.
4. Gardetto A, Thaler C, Kiechl S, Maurer H, Piza-Katzer H (2003) Isolated compression of pectoral nerve resulting in atrophy of the major pectoral muscle. Muscle Nerve 28: 760-763.
5. Standring S, Ellis H, Healy JC, Johnson D, Williams A (2005) Gray’s Anatomy. (39th Edn). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, pp: 835, 836, 847.
6. Ryvedik B, Lundborg G, Bagge U (1981) Effect of graded compression on intraneural blood flow. J Hand Surg Am 6: 3-12.