resonance imaging techniques for example a monoclonal antibody will not readily cross the bnb 18 though it can be designed to target and interact exclusively with a protein that is normally behind the bnb 18 this antibody may be labeled with a magnetic resonance imaging contrast agent that will be detected at sites of peripheral nerve injuries that demonstrate blood nerve barrier permeability it is foreseen that the chemical agent could act as a therapeutic as well as diagnostic agent by targeting and inhibiting the action of a molecule that normally hinders nerve regeneration the method of the present inventive concept may be utilized in various clinical applications including but not limited to the following in brachial plexus birth palsy the regeneration potential of peripheral nerve injuries in some way depends on the integrity of the endoneurium 12 and or bnb 18 the current method of differentiating injuries that will regenerate e g axonotmetic injuries with those that require surgical intervention to repair e g neurotmetic injury is an observation period that might last several months e g a three to six month observation period functional outcome hinges on the ability of the regenerating nerve to reach its muscular target before motor end plate demise occurs irreversible dennervation of the muscle occurs at approximately eighteen months because the method of the present inventive concept facilitates an immediate or at least expedited diagnose surgical intervention can take place sooner thereby increasing the likelihood the regenerating nerve will reach its target before eighteen months elapse gunshot injuries u201c gsi u201d present another dilemma in management a considerable number of post gsi nerve injuries will spontaneously resolve so a.