SINGLE FIBRE ELECTROMYOGRAPHY:SUPERIOR TO CONVENTIONAL EMG IN PERIPHERAL NEUROGENIC LESIONS?

D.KOUNTOURIS Neurologische Universitatsklinik, Knappschafts-Krankenhaus Bochum-Langendreer, 4630 Bochum 7, West Germany

The findings of the conventional electromyography (con.EMG) and the fibre density (FD) obtained by means of single fibre Electromyography (SFEMG) were recorded and compared with each other in 41 patients (12 with alcoholic neuropathy, 8 with CTS, 4 with traumatic lesion of a peripheral nerve 15 with lumbosacral herniation of the intervertebral disc and 2 with Guillain-Barre syndrome).The FD values were also compared to those of a control subjects group in the same muscles. The FD was found considerably increased in all muscles which showed pathological results in conventional EMG. Increased FD was also found in the muscles of 16 patients who didn't indicate any pathological findings in conventional EMG. Concluding, we see that the FD can be of great importance for the early diagnosis of neurogenic lesions, a fact, which proves the superiority of this method to the conventional EMG.

 

Abstract published in abstract book of the Restorative Neurology In the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Integrated Electrophysiological Evaluation.

Paper presented at the Congress of the the Restorative Neurology In the Central and Peripheral Nervous System, Integrated Electrophysiological Evaluation,Fondazione Giorgio, Gini, Venice, Italy, May 24-26, 1983.