胸段脊旁肌肌电图在肌萎缩侧索硬化诊断中的作用

目的 研究胸段脊旁肌自发电位在诊断肌萎缩侧索硬化(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis，ALS)中的价值。方法 50例确诊的ALS患者分别行胸段脊旁肌自发电位、胸锁乳突肌运动单位，部分患者行舌肌自发电位检测；同时，将性别、年龄相匹配的30例根性损害的患者和30名健康人作为对照，行胸段脊旁肌自发电位检测。结果 50例ALS患者中，41例(82％)胸段脊旁肌肌电图可见大量纤颤电位和正锐波；胸锁乳突肌肌电图无一例见自发电位，但有48例(96%)运动单位时限增宽，波幅增高，符合慢性神经源性损害改变；6例患者行舌肌自发电位检测，3例可见自发电位。30例根性病变的患者中，2例(7％)可见胸段脊旁肌有少量自发电位；健康对照组未见胸段脊旁肌自发电位。结论 胸段脊旁肌大量自发电位对诊断ALS具有一定的敏感性。     

腹直肌肌电图在肌萎缩侧索硬化诊断中的价值

目的建立腹直肌肌电图运动单位动作电位(MUAP)各参数正常参考值,并探讨其在诊断肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)中的价值。方法对ALS组67例患者(其中有呼吸困难症状者19例)进行常规肌电图检测,包括上、下肢远近端肌肉、胸锁乳突肌、下胸段脊旁肌及腹直肌,测定自发电位、募集相、MUAP时限、波幅及多相波,其中脊旁肌只检测自发电位和募集相。对健康对照组109名健康志愿者进行腹直肌肌电图的检测。比较ALS组腹直肌肌电图与健康组的差异、ALS组中腹直肌肌电图与下胸段脊旁肌肌电图的差异以及腹直肌肌电图与呼吸障碍症状的关系。结果健康对照组腹直肌肌电图的MUAP参数分别为:波幅(373·78±56·46)μV,时限(9·95±1·13)ms,多相波(19·40±4·52)%;ALS组腹直肌肌电图的MUAP各参数分别为:波幅(537·19±159·04)μV,时限(13·02±1·30)ms,多相波(31·19±8·84)%,ALS组腹直肌肌电图各参数与健康对照组相比差异有统计学意义;ALS组腹直肌肌电图神经源性改变(63/67,94·0%)与下胸段脊旁肌肌电图(57/67,85·1%)的差异无统计学意义;有呼吸困难症状患者的腹直肌肌电图自发电位(18/19,94·7%)多于无呼吸困难症状患者(32/48,66·7%)。结论腹直肌肌电图各参数均能可靠、稳定地测出,可作为检测ALS患者胸段下运动神经元病变的辅助手段。     

肌萎缩侧索硬化症90例胸锁乳突肌肌电图的特点

目的　探讨胸锁乳突肌肌电图 (EMG)检测在肌萎缩侧索硬化症 (ALS)诊断中的价值。方法　对ALS患者均进行常规EMG检测 ,包括上肢、下肢及胸锁乳突肌 ,测定自发电位 ,募集相 ,运动单位电位的时限、波幅及多相波。比较有、无球部症状的患者之间胸锁乳突肌EMG改变的差异 ,以及不同部位即球部、颈部及腰骶部之间EMG检测结果的差异。结果　有球部症状的患者胸锁乳突肌EMG病变程度重于无球部症状者 (时限增宽幅度分别为 60 6 %± 2 1 2 %和 50 0 %± 1 9 2 % ,P <0 0 5)。胸锁乳突肌EMG自发电位、募集相、运动单位电位时限和波幅改变的程度均不同于上肢和下肢 ,存在显著性差异。结论　胸锁乳突肌EMG检测的异常与球部症状相关 ,而与肢体无关 ,其神经源性改变可反映球部下运动神经元病变     

肌萎缩侧索硬化与脊髓型颈椎病的神经电生理检查

目的 探讨神经电生理检查在肌萎缩侧索硬化（amyotrophic laleral sclerosis，ALS）及脊髓型颈椎病（cervical spondylotic myelopathty，CSM）鉴别中的价值。方法 对28例初步诊断为ALS组、34例CSM组及两者鉴别困难者5例，这三组病人进行肌电图检查。结果 ALS组胸锁乳突肌及上、下肢肌肌电图都表现为神经源性损害；而CSM组仅表现为上肢脊神经根所支配的相应区域的神经源性损害，胸锁乳突肌及下肢肌无一例异常；而两者鉴别困难者组通过肌电图检查发现有4例存在颈、腰椎神经根病变，有1例为颈椎病合并ALS。本文同时对下胸段脊旁肌（T9．T10、T11）进行检查发现AIS组中阳性率为75％，而颈椎病组无一例异常。结论 神经电生理检查能帮助ALS及CSM的诊断及鉴别诊断。     

不同起病部位的ALS病人异常肌电区域分布研究

目的 :探讨不同起病部位的ALS病人在 4个下运动神经元支配区域异常肌电的分布情况。方法 :对 10 2例临床诊断为ALS的病人分别行 4组下运动神经元区域 (脑干 ,颈 ,胸 ,腰骶髓 )的针极肌电图检查。对 87例同时进行了胸锁乳突肌的检查。结果 :4组肌电检查区域的结果示 :颈段与胸段异常率在各起病组中最高 ,脑干及腰骶段在各组中异常率不同 (差异有显著意义 ,P <0 0 5 ) ;胸锁乳突肌上、下肢起病组的异常率均高于同组的脑干支配肌。结论 :在ALS病人中 ,异常肌电的分布与起病部位有关。不论哪一部位起病 ,4个区域均可受累 ,因此必须全都检查。胸锁乳突肌具有特殊的诊断及鉴别诊断价值     

斜方肌肌电图在肌萎缩侧索硬化早期诊断中的应用

目的 探讨斜方肌肌电图在检测肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)延髓部下运动神经元损害中的价值.方法 对100例ALS患者、80例颈椎病患者和100名健康志愿者进行斜方肌肌电图检测,AKS组和颈椎病组同时进行胸锁乳突肌、第一骨间肌、腹直肌、胫前肌肌电图检测,比较3组肌电图的差异.颈椎病组中43例患者进行手术前后斜方肌肌电图比较.结果 ALS组中,病程≤8个月的患者斜方肌肌电图自发电位的出现率高于病程>8个月者[分别为21/30(70%)和28/70(40%),X~2=7.56,P=0.004];斜方肌肌电图与胸锁乳突肌肌电图异常率比较差异无统计学意义.ALS组[波幅(1086.9±152.6)μV,时限(17.2±6.5)ms,多相波23.6%±3.4%]与对照组[波幅(606.7±82.7)μV,时限(11.6±1.8)ms,多相波12.8%±2.2%;q=9.27、4.57、4.12,均P<0.01]、ALS组与颈椎病组[术前,波幅(615.7±90.3)μV,时限(12.1±2.0)ms,多相波13.5%±2.4%]间运动单位动作电位(MUAP)各参数比较,差异有统计学意义(q=8.32、4.25、4.23,均P<0.01).颈椎病患者手术前后斜方肌肌电图MUAP各参数无明显变化,5例术后发现少量自发电位.结论 斜方肌肌电图可作为检测ALS延髓部下运动神经元损害的辅助手段,特别是早期可见自发电位增多. 1.6±1.8)ms,多相波12.8%±2.2%;q=9.27、4.57、4.12,均P<0.01]、ALS组与颈椎病组[术前,波幅(615.7±90.3)μV,时限(12.1±2.0)ms,多相波13.5%±2.4%]间运动单位动作电位(MUAP)各参数比较,差异有统计学意义(q=8.32、4.25、4.23,均P< .01).颈椎病患者手术前后斜方肌肌电图MUAP各参数无明显变化,5例术后发现少量自发电位.结论 斜方肌肌电图可作为检测ALS延髓部下运动神经元损害的辅助手段,特别是早期可见自发电位增多. 1.6±1.8)ms,多相波12.8%±2.2%;q=9.27、4.57、4.12,均P<0.01]、ALS组与颈椎病组[术前,波幅(615.7±90.3)μV,时限(12.1±     

139例肌萎缩侧索硬化临床及肌电图表现特点

目的 探讨肌萎缩侧索硬化(amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,ALS)的临床及电生理特征,为早期准确诊断ALS提供依据.方法 回顾性研究近5年来收治的门诊及住院139例肌萎缩侧索硬化患者的临床及电生理表现,对其发病特点、症状、体征及实验室检查进行统计分析.结果 ALS在临床上慢性隐袭起病,逐渐进展,50岁前后发病,平均年龄49.1岁,平均病程2.4年.男性明显多于女性.首发症状为单侧上肢肌肉无力和肌肉萎缩最常见,其次为肌束震颤、延髓麻痹、锥体束征等,少数患者可出现肢体麻木、疼痛或发凉等感觉异常.临床主要症状是肢体无力、肢体和舌肌肌肉萎缩、锥体束征、肢体和舌肌肌束震颤.所有ALS侵害的部位均表现神经源性损害,胸锁乳突肌肌电图检查、胸脊旁肌肌电图、头部/颈/腰椎CT及MRI等辅助检查具有重要的确诊及鉴别诊断意义.结论 目前ALS的诊断仍然依靠临床表现.肌电图、CT/MRI是ALS诊断和鉴别诊断的重要辅助手段.     

胸锁乳突肌肌电图在鉴别肌萎缩侧索硬化与颈椎病性脊髓病的研究

对106例肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)与颈椎病性脊髓病(CSM),及两病鉴别困难者进行胸锁乳突肌、肢体肌及舌肌EMG检查。结果ALS组胸锁乳突肌神经源性损害的异常率高于三肢体肌、舌肌;CSM组胸锁乳突肌无1例异常。表明该肌神经源性损害能明显提高ALS亚临床的阳性率,有助于ALS的早期诊断及ALS与CSM两病的鉴别。     

肌萎缩侧索硬化患者肌电图与ALS-FRS-R的研究

目的研究肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)患者肌电图(EMG)相关肌肉小力收缩时运动单位动作电位(MUAP)的波幅(Amp)和时限(Lat)与肌萎缩侧索硬化功能评分(ALS-FRS-R)之间的相关性。方法 25例ALS患者分别进行ALS-FRS-R和EMG检查,分别记录并分析左右胫骨前肌、左右伸指总肌、腹直肌及胸锁乳突肌小力收缩时MUAP的Amp和Lat与ALS-FRS-R的相关性。结果 23例ALS患者右胫骨前肌小力收缩时Amp与ALS-FRS-R存在相关性,R2=0.173,P=0.043。左胫骨前肌、左右伸指总肌、腹直肌及胸锁乳突肌小力收缩时的Amp及左右胫骨前肌、左右伸指总肌、腹直肌及胸锁乳突肌小力收缩时的Lat与ALS-FRS-R不存在相关性(P>0.05)。结论 EMG中仅个别相关肌肉小力收缩时MUAP的Amp与ALS-FRS-R相关,因此EMG相关肌肉小力收缩时的Amp和Lat对ALS仅具有定性意义,不能反映ALS患者病情的严重程度。     

以胸髓前角先受累的肌萎缩侧索硬化的临床特点

目的探讨胸髓前角先受累的肌萎缩侧索硬化(ALS)患者的临床特征。方法回顾性分析3例以胸髓前角先受累的ALS患者的临床资料。结果3例患者均为男性,发病年龄分别为52岁、66岁、62岁;均以呼吸困难为首发表现,有明显的肋间肌和腹直肌萎缩,而肢体肌无力及肌萎缩的出现相对较轻、较迟;肌电图显示上肢及椎旁肌的神经源性损害。结论以胸髓前角先受累的ALS患者以男性多见,起病年龄晚于ALS的平均发病年龄,呼吸困难明显,呼吸肌萎缩早于肢体肌无力及肌萎缩,肌电图检查可以确诊。     

Paraspinal and limb motor neuron involvement within homologous spinal segments in ALS.

OBJECTIVE: We studied the involvement of motor neuron groups innervating paraspinal muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and evaluated the value of paraspinal muscle EMG in the diagnosis of the disease. METHODS: We used quantitative concentric needle EMG to study denervation and reinnervation in a paraspinal muscle and a limb muscle innervated by the C6 and L5 segments in 32 patients with ALS. As control subjects we studied 11 patients with peripheral neuropathy, and 46 non-neurogenic control subjects. RESULTS: We found similar abnormalities in motor-unit potentials (MUPs) in paraspinal and limb muscles in these two segments in ALS. Fasciculation potentials (FPs) were more frequent in limb muscles than in paraspinal muscles and fibrillations and sharp waves (fibs-sw) were most frequent in tibialis anterior. In peripheral neuropathy paraspinal muscles were normal but tibialis anterior showed very abnormal motor unit potentials. CONCLUSIONS: These results are consistent with generalised involvement of motor neurons in motor neuron pools in spinal segments in early stages of ALS progression. However, distally predominant fibrillations indicate susceptibility to ongoing denervation in reinnervated distal axons. Complex FPs of similar morphology to MUP analysis in the same early affected muscle suggests a proximal origin for these FPs at this phase. SIGNIFICANCE: Our observations emphasize the value of paraspinal muscle EMG in the electrophysiological diagnosis of ALS.     

A patient with motor neuron syndrome clinically similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, presenting spontaneous recovery]

We report a patient with motor neuron syndrome similar to amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and with spontaneous recovery. At the age 40, the woman developed progressive muscular weakness, atrophy and fasciculation in extremities. She also noted a dyspnea, tongue atrophy and dysphagia. A neurological examination 6 months after onset revealed i) a tongue atrophy and fasciculation, ii) diffuse muscule weakness and atrophy in face, neck and extremities, and iii) marked hyperreflexia in the four limbs and bilateral Babinski reflex, but iv) neither sensory disturbance nor ophthalmoplegia. Electromyogram (EMG) detected such denervation potentials as fibrillation potentials, fasciculation potentials, positive sharp waves and polyphasic or giant MUPs diffusely in the limb muscles. Peripheral nerve conduction study detected neither conduction block nor delay. Thus, she was diagnosed as suffering from ALS. However, since approximate 1 year after onset, her muscle weakness has gradually been getting better. Simultaneously, the dyspnea and dysphagia gradually improved. Two years after onset, an EMG examination detected chronic denervation potentials in the left musculus sternocleidomastoideus and a few on-going denervation potentials in the left musculus extensor carpi radialis, but no denervation potentials in other limb muscles. Fasciculation potentials were found in tongue muscles. Thus, the present case was thought to have a reversible motor neuron syndrome clinically quite similar to ALS. A mild increase in IgE (346 U/ml) and a low-titer IgM-class anti-GM1 antibody were found in her serum though its pathological significance was uncertain. Any immunological aberrance may account for the pathogenesis. It should be noted that clinically diagnosed cases of ALS may rarely recover spontaneously.     

Motor unit changes in thoracic paraspinal muscles in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

In 38 amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and 28 controls, we performed motor unit potential (MUP) analysis in the C‐6 and T‐5 paraspinal and biceps muscles. In ALS cases, we found similar abnormalities in MUPs in paraspinal and limb muscles. Fasciculation potentials (FPs) were more frequent in biceps than in paraspinal muscles, but fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves (fibs‐sw) were equally frequent in all three muscles. These results confirm the value of paraspinal MUP analysis in the diagnosis of ALS. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 83–86, 2009     

Assessment of thoracic paraspinal muscles in the diagnosis of ALS

The distribution of muscle involvement, assessed clinically and electromyographically, was analyzed prospectively in 55 consecutive amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and in 54 patients with other predominantly motor syndromes, some of whom were referred with suspected ALS. In ALS patients, distal limb muscles and thoracic paraspinal muscles were affected most frequently, more so than proximal limb and cranial muscles. The incidence of bulbar symptoms in ALS was greater in women than in men. These patterns suggest selective vulnerability of specific neuronal populations. The vulnerability of truncal muscles, illustrated by thoracic paraspinal wasting or head and shoulder drooping, was a helpful differential sign in diagnosing ALS. Thoracic paraspinal electromyography was especially valuable in distinguishing ALS from other disorders, such as combined cervical and lumbar spondylotic amyotrophy or polymyositis, which may masquerade as ALS. The finding of denervation atrophy on biopsy of thoracic paraspinal muscles was diagnostic in difficult cases. Because the thoracic paraspinal muscles are frequently affected in ALS and spared in spondylotic amyotrophy, their assessment provides a practical strategy in differentiating ALS from other motor syndromes.     

Needle electromyography of the frontalis muscle in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Introduction: We sought to determine which muscles to choose for better assessment of the craniobulbar region in establishing the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Methods: We studied the frontalis muscle in 83 controls and compared it with the tongue, sternocleidomastoid (SCM), and trapezius muscles in 105 definite or probable ALS patients (54 bulbar, 51 nonbulbar). Results: More patients achieved complete relaxation of the frontalis muscle than the tongue or SCM. Motor unit potentials were of longer duration and higher amplitude in ALS patients than in controls (P < 0.05). The frontalis had the same frequency of spontaneous potentials as the tongue, SCM, and trapezius muscles in bulbar ALS patients, but fewer than in the trapezius in nonbulbar patients. Conclusions: Examining the frontalis provides useful information in establishing the diagnosis of ALS by identifying clinically evident or subclinical abnormalities in the craniobulbar region. Muscle Nerve 54 : 1093–1096, 2016     

Utility of trapezius EMG for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Needle electromyography (EMG) of the tongue is traditionally used as a key to the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), although relaxation of the tongue is often difficult to achieve. Recently, frequent abnormalities in the EMGs of the sternocleidomastoid (SCM) and upper trapezius muscles in ALS have been reported. To elucidate the diagnostic utility of these muscles we performed a multicenter prospective study to examine EMGs of the tongue (genioglossus), SCM, and trapezius in 104 ALS or suspected ALS patients. We also examined EMGs of the SCM and trapezius in 32 cervical spondylosis (CS) patients. We mainly evaluated fibrillation potentials/positive sharp waves (Fib/PSWs) and fasciculation potentials. Complete relaxation was achieved in 85% of ALS patients in the trapezius, but in only 6% of patients in the tongue. Fib/PSWs were observed in 8%, 13%, and 45% of ALS patients in the tongue, SCM, and trapezius, respectively, whereas fasciculation potentials were observed in 1%, 7%, and 39%, respectively. Abnormal spontaneous activity of any type was found in 9%, 17%, and 63% of patients, respectively. The high frequency of abnormal spontaneous activity in the trapezius was similar among the different diagnostic categories, and even 72% of clinically suspected ALS (progressive muscular atrophy) patients showed them in their trapezius. We did not observe Fib/PSWs or fasciculation potentials in any of our CS patients, thus these findings have excellent specificity. Tongue EMG added little utility over the clinical sign of tongue atrophy. Abnormal spontaneous activity in the trapezius would be more useful for the early diagnosis of ALS. Muscle Nerve 39: 63–70, 2009     

Needle electromyography of the rectus abdominis in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

We examined the role of needle electromyography (EMG) of the rectus abdominis (RA) in assessing thoracic involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Needle EMG of the RA was performed in 67 patients with sporadic ALS and 110 healthy controls. The presence of abnormal spontaneous activity, configuration of motor unit action potentials (MUAPs), and recruitment pattern of motor unit potentials were examined. In ALS patients, MUAPs in the RA were of prolonged duration, large amplitude, and showed increased prevalence of polyphasic waveforms compared to controls. Significant differences in MUAP parameters, presence of abnormal spontaneous potentials, and interference patterns were noted between ALS patients and controls. Additionally, we found that active denervation was more frequent in the RA of ALS patients with dyspnea than those without dyspnea. Thus, conventional needle EMG of the RA is a valuable electrophysiological method to assess clinical and subclinical involvement of thoracic lower motor neurons in patients with suspected ALS.     

Severe forward flexion of the trunk in Parkinson's disease: focal myopathy of the paraspinal muscles mimicking camptocormia.

Pronounced forward flexion of the trunk, often termed camptocormia, is a typical symptom of patients with Parkinson's disease. In 4 parkinsonian patients with camptocormia, paraspinal muscles were studied by electromyography (EMG) and axial computerized tomography (CT) or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans and muscle biopsy. EMG of the lumbar and thoracic paravertebral muscles showed abundant fibrillations, positive sharp waves, and bizarre high-frequency discharges. Spinal CT and MRI scans revealed variable degrees of atrophy and fatty replacement of the thoracolumbar paraspinal muscles on both sides. No other signs of neuromuscular disease were found. Biopsy of the paraspinal muscles revealed end-stage myopathy with autophagic vacuoles, chronic inflammatory myopathy, unspecific myopathic changes, or mitochondrial myopathy. In parkinsonian patients with pronounced forward flexion of the trunk, myopathy confined to the erector spinae muscles must be considered.