Chapter 14
Mononeuropathies
Monique M. Ryan and H. Royden Jones
Abstract
Mononeuropathies are rare in children, accounting for fewer than 10% of pediatric referrals for
electromyographic (EMG) testing, but they can cause significant long-term morbidity and may
be a diagnostic and management challenge. In contrast to adults, in whom most
mononeuropathies are related to compression or entrapment, pediatric mononeuropathies most
often result from fractures or lacerations. Mononeuropathies in children almost equally affect the
median, ulnar, radial, peroneal, and sciatic nerves, whereas in adults, 65% of focal neuropathies
affect the median nerve, mainly because of carpal tunnel syndrome. This chapter discusses the
clinical, neuroimaging, and neurophysiologic evaluation of focal neuropathies in children, and
reviews appropriate management of common pediatric nerve lesions.