重症肌无力患者临床绝对评分和电生理检查的相关性研究

目的研究重症肌无力(MG)患者临床绝对评分和电生理检查结果的相关性。方法61例MG患者在进行临床绝对评分之后依次进行桡、腋、副和面神经低频重复电刺激(RNS)和伸指总肌单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)检查。通过SPSS10．0软件分析临床绝对评分与RNS和SFEMG结果的相关性。结果临床绝对评分与桡、腋、副和面神经低频RNS的波幅衰减程度之间均呈显著正相关；临床绝对评分与SFEMG结果中的平均jitter值、异常电位对比例和阻滞电位对比例之间呈非常显著正相关，而与正常电位对比例之间呈非常显著负相关。结论临床绝对评分的高低与电生理的检查结果间有很好的一致性，能够比较准确、客观地反映MG病情的严重程度。     

胸腺切除术对重症肌无力患者电生理学指标和临床评分的影响

目的评价胸腺切除术对重症肌无力(MG)的近期疗效。方法对15例MG在胸腺切除术前(平均9天)及术后(平均11天)依次进行了临床绝对评分、右侧腋神经低频重复电刺激(RNS)和右侧伸指总肌单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)检查。结果手术后SFEMG和RNS异常率分别为100%和73%,手术后平均颤抖(jitter)值、异常电位对比例、阻滞电位对比例和临床绝对评分都较手术前有显著的降低;病理为胸腺瘤5例,手术前后平均jitter值、阻滞电位对比例和临床绝对评分均无显著差异,胸腺增生9例,手术后阻滞电位对比例和临床绝对评分较术前显著减低。结论MG患者胸腺切除术后在临床表现和电生理学指标上都有一定程度的改善,但此时大多数患者仍有临床症状和电生理学指标的异常,需要进一步的免疫调节治疗;MG并发胸腺瘤者可能手术后近期疗效差,并发胸腺增生者可能疗效相对较好。     

单纤维肌电图对糖尿病周围神经病变的应用价值

目的探讨单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)对糖尿病周围神经病变(DPN)的应用价值。方法应用SFEMG检测129例DPN患者的优势侧指总伸肌颤抖(jitter)和纤维密度(FD),按常规方法行神经传导速度(NCS)检测。比较SFEMG和NCS的异常检出率,并分析jitter值与血糖化血红蛋白(HbA1C)和预后的关系。结果 SFEMG异常检出率(91.5%)显著高于NCS(78.3%)(P<0.01)。HbA1C轻度升高组SFEMG异常检出率(86.4%)显著高于NCS异常检出率(69.7%)(χ2=7.69,P<0.01),而HbA1C重度升高组差异无统计学意义。jitter值与HbA1C水平呈正相关(r=0.3132,P<0.05)。jitter值正常及轻度异常患者治疗有效率(82.3%)及治愈率(30.6%)均显著高于明显异常者(54.2%,11.9%)(χ2=11.02,P<0.01;χ2=6.32,P<0.05)。结论 SFEMG对DPN的诊断意义显著,并且可用于DPN的预后判断。     

RNS与SFEMG在检测ALS患者神经肌肉接头功能紊乱的比较研究

目的探讨重复神经电刺激(RNS)与单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)在检测肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)患者神经肌肉接头功能紊乱中的吻合率及RNS低频递减阳性率与SFEMG指标纤维密度(FD)、颤抖(jitter)、阻滞(block)的关系。方法收集2008-5—2009-4在北京协和医院神经科门诊或病房确诊或拟诊的ALS患者43例,同时行RNS及SFEMG检查。比较RNS与SFEMG在判断ALS患者神经肌肉接头紊乱的敏感性和特异性,并分析RNS低频递减与SFEMG参数指标jitter、block、FD的相关性。结果(1)43例患者中26例RNS(+),占60.5%,17例RNS(-),占39.5%。SFEMG(+)34例,占79.1%,SFEMG(-)9例,占20.9%。其中SFEMG(+)+RNS(+)者共25例,SFEMG(-)+RNS(-)者8例。RNS在判断ALS存在神经肌肉接头受累方面与SFEMG比较有一定的吻合性(Kappa=0.47,P0.01)。(2)RNS阴性和阳性组FD间比较无统计学差异(t=-0.1405,P0.05)。RNS阳性组Block程度明显高于RNS阴性组(χ~2=11.432,P0.01),jitter值也明显高于RNS阴性组(t=2.906,P0.01)。桡神经RNS波幅递减程度与jitter值呈正相关(r=0.626,P0.05)。结论 RNS与SFEMG比较有一定的吻合率。RNS检查灵敏度较高,具有操作简单,费用低,耗时短,无创,不需患者特殊配合,近远端肌肉均可操作,易于推广的特点,对ALS患者的辅助诊断具有意义。     

单纤维肌电图在肌萎缩侧索硬化鉴别诊断中的价值

目的 探讨单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)技术在肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对我院收治的165例ALS患者和145例下运动神经元受累为主的非ALS疾病患者进行伸指总肌SFEMG测定,并测定伸指总肌肌力,按照伸指总肌肌力进行分组,分析不同组之间SFEMG改变的特点.结果 伸指总肌肌力正常者,ALS和非ALS组的平均颤抖(jitter)值分别为(66.1±20.1)、(38.0±9.2)μs(t=9.05),jitter＞55μs的百分比中位数分别为55%、0(Z=-7.81),阻滞所占百分比中位数分别为6.7%、0(Z=-6.93),ALS组各参数均明显高于非ALS组(均P＜0.01).伸指总肌肌力医学研究委员会(MRC)评分≤4者,ALS和非ALS组平均jitter值分别为(93.5±31.2)、(52.8±25.9)μs(t=9.37),jitter＞55μs的百分比中位数分别为86%、20%(Z=-8.46),阻滞所占百分比中位数分别为20%、0(Z=-7.25),ALS组各参数均明显高于非ALS组(均P＜0.01).在MRC评分＞4者,采用平均jitter＞55μ s诊断ALS的敏感性和特异性分别为70.2%和92.7%.结论 当采用SFEMG测定协助ALS的诊断和鉴别时,应尽量选择肌力正常的肌肉.平均jitter、jitter＞55μs的百分比和阻滞在ALS与其他下运动神经元疾病的鉴别诊断中具有重要价值.     

Jitter测定在评价重症肌无力病情严重程度中的意义

目的:探讨Jitter值对判断重症肌无力(MG)病情及预后的意义。方法:运用单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)技术对49例不同病情、病型及治疗的MG患者进行Jitter值测定,同时测定每一例的临床绝对评分。结果:(1)临床绝对评分、Jitter各指标与病型均有关,且Jitter各指标对区分眼型(Ⅰ)和全身型(Ⅱ)有所帮助;(2)MG患者个体MCI)均值、＞55μs电位对百分比及阻滞电位对百分比与临床绝对评分之间呈显著负相关(P＜0.001),而正常电位对百分比与临床绝对评分之间存在显著正相关(P＜0.001);(3)病程与Jitter各指标之间均无相关性(P＞0.05);(4)短期随访经激素治疗或手术治疗后乙酰胆碱受体抗体(AChRab)有转阴趋势,而SFEMG和低频重复电刺激检查结果转阴趋势不明显。结论:Jitter值测定是一项评价重症肌无力病情严重程度较为客观、准确的技术。     

胆碱酯酶抑制剂对重症肌无力电生理学检查结果的影响

目的探讨胆碱酯酶抑制剂对重症肌无力(myasthenis gravis,MG)电生理学检查结果有无影响。方法对53例MG肌注新斯的明1.5 mg,每例均在注射前后依次进行临床绝对评分、右侧伸指总肌的单纤维肌电图(single fiber electromyography,SFEMG)和左侧桡神经低频重复电刺激(repetitive nerve stimulation,RNS)检查,比较用药前后各项指标的变化。结果发现用药前后SFEMG中平均颤抖(jitter)、异常电位对和阻滞电位对的比例均无统计学差异(P>0.05);与此同时用药后RNS波幅递减的幅度和临床绝对评分均较用药前显著降低(P均为0.000)。结论胆碱酯酶抑制剂对MG的SFEMG的各项指标均无明显影响,而能显著改善RNS结果和临床症状的评分。     

单纤维肌电图在甲亢伴眼肌型重症肌无力和Graves眼病鉴别诊断中的价值

目的探讨单纤维EMG(SFEMG)技术在甲亢伴眼肌型重症肌无力(OMG)与Graves眼病鉴别诊断中的价值。方法对32例甲亢伴OMG、35例Graves眼病患者进行眼轮匝肌SFEMG测定,分析两组间SFEMG改变的特点。结果在2组患者中,平均颤抖(jitter)值分别为(96. 2±23. 7)、(42. 8±12. 6)μs,jitter 55μs的百分比M50分别为92%、5%,阻滞所占百分比M50分别为25%、0,纤维密度分别为(1. 9±0. 4)、(1. 7±0. 5)。两组比较,甲亢伴OMG患者各SFEMG参数均明显高于Graves眼病患者组(分别t=15. 56,Z=9. 26,Z=7. 35,均P 0. 01)。结论甲亢伴OMG患者的眼轮匝肌SFEMG均表现为jitter明显增宽,可伴有阻滞,与Graves眼病患者明显不同。眼轮匝肌SFEMG测定有助于甲亢伴OMG和Graves眼病的鉴别诊断。     

单纤维肌电图在肌萎缩侧索硬化和颈椎病鉴别诊断中的价值

目的 探讨单纤维肌电图(SFEMG)技术在肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)与神经根型和脊髓型颈椎病鉴别诊断中的价值.方法 对61例ALS伴有MRI颈椎病表现、59例ALS不伴MRI颈椎病表现、55例神经根型和脊髓型颈椎病患者进行伸指总肌SFEMG测定,分析不同组之间SFEMG改变的特点.结果 在3组患者中,平均颤抖(jitter)值分别为(81.2±25.9)、(91.6±32.4)、(40.9±11.8) μs,jitter>55 μs的百分比M50分别为73%、80%、5%,阻滞所占百分比M50分别为10%、20%、0,纤维密度分别为2.9±0.5、2.9±0.6、2.4±0.6.ALS伴和不伴MRI颈椎病变2组之间各参数比较差异无统计学意义.两组ALS患者合并后[平均jitter值(86.3±29.6)μs,jitter>55μs的百分比M50为80%,阻滞所占百分比M50为14%,纤维密度2.9±0.5]再与颈椎病组比较,各参数均明显高于颈椎病组(分别为t=14.49,Z=8.96、7.68,t=5.83,均P=0.000).在经随诊而确诊的18例ALS患者中,初诊时肌电图仅有1个节段的神经源性损害,在伸指总肌肌力和常规肌电图均正常情况下,有16例SFEMG可见纤维密度增高,13例jitter增宽,6例可见阻滞.结论 ALS伴或不伴MRI颈椎病变的SFEMG均表现为jitter明显增宽,可伴有阻滞,纤维密度增高,与神经根型和(或)脊髓型颈椎病患者明显不同.SFEMG测定有助于ALS与颈椎病的鉴别诊断.     

重症肌无力单纤维肌电图测定

57例MG患者和40例健康正常人分别进行了SFEMG检查,部分患者同时进行重复电刺激和SFEMG进行比较。结果发现:MG患者SFEMG阳性率为82.5％。按MG分型:眼肌型阳性率为58.3％,全身型阳性率为100％。而重复电刺激阳性率仅为64％。同时SFEMG的个体MCD均值大小及Jitter阻滞率与病程无关,与病型和病情有关。SFEMG是诊断MG敏感的电生理检查方法。     

Determining neuromuscular jitter using a monopolar electrode.

Neuromuscular jitter was determined in the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) of 41 healthy control subjects and 8 patients with myasthenia gravis (MG). Standard single-fiber electromyographic (SFEMG) techniques were used, except that a monopolar electrode (MPE) was substituted for a single-fiber electrode (SFE). In normals, mean jitter for 20 pairs was 22.4 +/- 2.8 microseconds and the mean jitter for an individual pair was 22 +/- 5.6 microseconds. In the age range tested (18 to 49 years), jitter did not change with increasing age. When MPE jitter studies were repeated in 16 normals, mean jitter usually varied by less than 10% (mean 7.4% +/- 6.2%) and remained normal. Jitter was significantly increased in MG compared to normals 73 +/- 56 microseconds versus 22 +/- 5.6 microseconds (F = 149.4, P less than 0.0001). Using an analog pain scale, the discomfort during electromyography using MPE and SFE was compared between the left and right arms in 35 normals. MPEs caused less discomfort than SFEs (P = 0.0031), and were preferred (71% versus 20%) to SFEs (chi 2 = 9.21, P = 0.01). Based on these results, we conclude that MPE determined jitter studies are reproducible, can distinguish between normals and MG, and are associated with less discomfort than SFE.     

Clinical, electrophysiological and immunological remissions after thymectomy in myasthenia gravis.

OBJECTIVES: Approximately 50% of patients treated with thymectomy have a chance for symptom-free life. However, immunological and neurophysiological abnormalities may be detected in patients with clinical remission. Although improvement usually parallels decrease in acetylcholine receptor antibody (AChRAb) levels and jitter values, there is a question what factors influence immunological and electrophysiological remission in a population of myasthenia gravis (MG) patients. METHODS: We analyzed retrospectively clinical data of 32 MG patients operated for generalized MG, followed-up at our department for 17.2 (4-31) years. They were in clinical remission for 12.8 (2-25) years. All of them had single fiber electromyograhy (SFEMG) of extensor digitorum communis muscle (EDC) muscle and estimation of AChRAb level at the end of follow-up. Their age at onset of MG was 17 years (6-48) and at thymectomy 19 (6.4-58) years. Tensilon test was positive in 30, repetitive nerve stimulation in 29 cases. RESULTS: Clinical remission was reached on average 4.2 years after thymectomy. SFEMG jitter value normalized in 60% of cases. AChRAb were negative only in 34% of patients. Jitter values correlated with AChRAb levels (P=0.006, r=0.5) but were not related to clinical factors. Only time to thymectomy correlated with time from thymectomy to clinical remission (P=0.001, r=0.5). CONCLUSIONS: Clinical remission is not always accompanied by normalization of SFEMG and AChRAb. Although normalization of neuromuscular transmission in patients with remission of MG is individual, short duration of MG before thymectomy increases the chance of early remission.     

Effect of triggering potential on calculations of jitter in single-fiber EMG

Jitter values are calculated in reference to a triggering potential during single-fiber electromyography (SFEMG) performed during voluntary contraction. When there are more than two single-fiber action potentials (SFAP) and the selected triggering potential is from an abnormal end-plate, all the jitters calculated from the same trace will be affected. In this study, the effect of triggering potential on calculated jitter was investigated in myasthenic and healthy volunteers by switching the triggering potential and recalculating the jitter off-line. Selecting a triggering potential from an abnormal end-plate increased the number of abnormal individual jitters as well as the mean jitter. Therefore, if the equipment software has the capacity to change the trigger potential, the triggering potential should not be from an abnormal end-plate if all possible jitter values are to be calculated for traces having three or more single-fiber potentials. Otherwise, only one jitter value should be included from any one trace to prevent false-positive results.     

Single fiber electromyography in myasthenia gravis during pregnancy

We report the use of single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) to demonstrate changes in the physiologic abnormality of myasthenia gravis (MG) during pregnancy. A 23-year-old became pregnant 15 months after the onset of mild ocular weakness. On initial evaluation, SFEMG jitter measurements demonstrated a slight abnormality of neuromuscular transmission. There was no change in severity of clinical disease or jitter measurements until the third trimester, when she improved. Jitter measurements at that time were normal. Labor was normal and she delivered a normal male. Three days postpartum, myasthenic weakness recurred temporarily and jitter measurements showed worsening. At 16 days and 6 weeks postpartum, she had only minimal medial rectus weakness and jitter studies were normal. Three months postpartum, ocular symptoms recurred and jitter measurements were slightly abnormal. She continued to worsen, developing limb muscle and severe ocular muscle weakness at 4 months postpartum. She was treated with plasma exchange and thymectomy. Prednisone was added 2 months after thymectomy due to continued worsening and development of oropharyngeal weakness. Three years postpartum she was taking prednisone 10 mg every other day and had only slight weakness of neck flexors, and jitter studies were again normal. © 1993 John Wiley & Soncs, Inc.     

Jitter analysis with concentric needle electrode in the masseter muscle for the diagnosis of generalised myasthenia gravis

Objectives

The purpose of our study was to show neuromuscular transmission abnormality in the masseter muscle of generalised myasthenia gravis (MG) patients and to compare motor end-plate failure of the masseter with the extensor digitorum communis (EDC) and periocular muscles.

Methods

Motor end-plate function was evaluated during voluntary contraction of the masseter muscle of 20 generalised MG patients aged between 16 and 63 years, as well as 20 age-matched healthy volunteers. The mean jitter value was calculated for each group and compared. The upper limit of normal jitter was also calculated and the number of jitters exceeding this cut-off value was counted for each group for comparison. In MG patients, jitter analysis was also performed in periocular and EDC muscles along with the masseter and the number of single fibre-like potentials with abnormal jitter was counted for each muscle. All tests were performed during the same session with a concentric needle electrode (CNE).

Results

For the masseter muscle, the mean jitter of all potential pairs was significantly higher in the patient group (24.7 ± 9.6 μs in healthy volunteers, 71.9 ± 41 μs in patients). The calculated mean jitter for the 18th highest value in healthy volunteers was 33.8 ± 5.9 μs (upper 95% confidence limit was 45.6 μs). The number of abnormal jitters (?46 μs) was significantly higher in the patient group (276 out of 402 jitters) compared to healthy volunteers (10 out of 400 jitters). In the patient group, the number of single fibre-like potentials with abnormal jitter was found to be similar for the masseter, periocular and EDC muscles.

Conclusion

The masseter muscle has diagnostic importance in generalised MG. The ratio of high jitters to all of the calculated jitters in a particular muscle was similar for masseter, periocular and EDC muscles.

Significance

Jitter analysis of the masseter muscle during voluntary contraction is easy to perform and it was found as informative as other muscles in patients with generalised MG.     

Concentric needle jitter on stimulated frontalis and extensor digitorum in 20 myasthenia gravis patients

Introduction: Our objective was to study jitter parameters using a concentric needle electrode (CNE) in the extensor digitorum (ED) and frontalis (FR) muscles. Methods: Twenty myasthenia gravis (MG) patients, mean age 44.5 years, were studied. Percutaneous (FR) and intramuscular needle (ED) stimulation approaches were used. Jitter was expressed as the mean consecutive difference (MCD). The filter settings were from 1000 HZ to 10 kHZ . Results: Abnormal MCD was found in 85% for both ED and FR and in 90% when combining the two muscles. An abnormal percentage of outliers was found in 90% for ED and 85% for FR. The mean MCD did not show a difference for ED and FR, but the percentage of outliers and blocking were higher in FR. Abnormality was found in 93.7% (generalized) and in 75% (ocular) of MG cases. For ED outliers abnormality was greater than the MCD. Conclusion: CNE jitter is reliable for investigation of MG, although borderline findings should be judged with caution. Muscle Nerve 2011     

Single fiber EMG as an outcome measure in myasthenia gravis: results from a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

In a placebo-controlled, therapeutic, pilot trial of mycophenolate mofetil (MM) in autoimmune myasthenia gravis (MG), the authors compared pretreatment and posttreatment single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) jitter measurements performed on the same muscle in a total of 11 patients. The mean jitter value decreased (improved) by an average of 15.4 micros in patients receiving MM (n = 6), compared to an increase (worsening) in mean jitter of 4.0 micros in patients receiving placebo (n = 5). This difference was statistically significant (P = 0.030). In most patients, the change in SFEMG measurements correlated with the change in clinical state as measured by quantitative testing of muscle function. The authors conclude that immunomodulation by MM improves neuromuscular junction function in MG and that SFEMG may be a useful marker of early response in future therapeutic trials in autoimmune MG.     

Evaluation of neuromuscular transmission by using monopolar needle electrode

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the value of single-fibre electromyography (SFEMG) with monopolar electrode (MNPE) in revealing neuromuscular transmission dysfunction. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We examined the extensor digitorum communis muscle by using single-fibre electrode (SFE) and MNPE sequentially, in randomly assigned 20 healthy volunteers and in 17 patients with known myasthenia gravis (MG). The high-pass filter setting was 3 kHz for MNPE. Ten individual jitter values were calculated for each electrode in every muscle. Repetitive nerve stimulation (RNS) test on trapezius muscle was performed on 15 patients. RESULTS: In controls, the mean jitter values were 27 +/- 9 (10-59) micro s with SFE, and 21 +/- 7.2 (9-56) micro s with MNPE (P = 0.001). In the MG group, the mean jitter values were 52.4 +/- 38 (12-221) micro s with SFE, and 51.8 +/- 34.7 (12-179) micro s with MNPE. Both electrodes identified junction dysfunction in 14 patients. RNS revealed decrement in four patients but 11. CONCLUSION: SFEMG with SFE is still the gold standard; however, SFEMG with MNPE is superior to RNS like SFEMG with SFE.     

Pitfalls and errors in measuring jitter

The safety factor of neuromuscular transmission can be assessed by measuring the neuromuscular jitter, which reflects the time variability of processes in the motor end-plate. Jitter is increased in any condition with disturbed end-plate function, such as myasthenic conditions and ongoing reinnervation. Jitter is increasingly being measured with concentric needle (CN) electrodes, which are more prone to artefacts than single fiber EMG recordings.The objective of this review is to identify and demonstrate pitfalls that can be seen with CN jitter measurements, made with both voluntary activation and electrical stimulation.With voluntary activation, errors are caused by poor signal quality; inappropriate time reference points on the signal; an irregular firing rate; and signals with dual latencies, i.e., “flip-flop.” With electrical stimulation, additional errors result from insufficient stimulation intensity; from abrupt change in firing rate; and from axon reflexes.Many pitfalls cannot be avoided during recording and can only be detected during post-processing.It is critical to be aware of these artefacts when measuring jitter with CN electrodes.