Relationship between EMG-detected and ultrasound-detected fasciculations in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: A prospective cohort study

ObjectivesFasciculation potentials (FP) are an important consideration in the electrophysiological diagnosis of ALS. Muscle ultrasonography (MUS) has a higher sensitivity in detecting fasciculations than electromyography (EMG), while in some cases, it is unable to detect EMG-detected fasciculations. We aimed to investigate the differences of FP between the muscles with and without MUS-detected fasciculations (MUS-fas).MethodsThirty-one consecutive patients with sporadic ALS were prospectively recruited and in those, both needle EMG and MUS were performed. Analyses of the amplitude, duration, and number of phases of EMG-detected FPs were performed for seven muscles per patient, and results were compared between the muscles with and without MUS-fas in the total cohort.ResultsThe mean amplitude and phase number of FP were significantly lower in patients with EMG-detected FP alone (0.39 ± 0.25 mV and 3.21 ± 0.88, respectively) than in those with both FP and MUS-fas (1.22 ± 0.92 mV and 3.74 ± 1.39, respectively; p < 0.0001 and p = 0.017, Welch’s t-test).ConclusionSmall FP may be undetectable with MUS. MUS cannot replace EMG in the diagnostic approach for ALS.SignificanceClinicians should use a combination of EMG and MUS for the detection and quantitative analysis of fasciculation in ALS.     

Needle electromyography

Physiologic assessment of diseases of the motor unit from the anterior horn cells to the muscles relies on a combination of needle electromyography (EMG) and nerve conduction studies (NCS). Both require a unique combination of knowledge of peripheral nervous system anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, diseases, techniques, and electricity is necessary. Successful, high‐quality, reproducible EMG depends on the skills of a clinician in patient interaction during the physical insertion and movement of the needle while recording the electrical signals. These must be combined with the skill of analyzing electric signals recorded from muscle by auditory pattern recognition and semiquantitation. 10 , 52 This monograph reviews the techniques of needle EMG and waveform analysis and describes the types of EMG waveforms recorded during needle EMG. © 2009 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Muscle Nerve 39: 244–270, 2009     

Le traitement du signal en électromyographie: mise au point

Automatic analysis of electromyography (EMG) signals, first operated in 1950 with analogic machines, steeply expanded from 1980 when fast computers and worthwhile programs became available. On-line measurement of response area and latency, averaging of low amplitude waves, fast sorting of motor unit potential shape parameters, computation of the “jitter” between two muscle fibers, turns/amplitude and spectral analysis of interferential pattern records, are some examples of programs currently offered in modern EMG machines. Other techniques are still reserved for research purposes: scanning EMG, decomposition of nerve and muscle compound potentials, measurement of the threshold and firing rate of motor units, trace analysis using tracking models. Finally, the credit for artificial intelligence systems (knowledge based systems, fuzzy logic, neuronal networks) is still not clearly stated.     

Single fiber electromyography of extraocular muscles: A sensitive method for the diagnosis of ocular myasthenia gravis

We performed single fiber electromyography (SFEMG) in the superior rectus and levator palpebralis (SR-LP) muscles of 17 patients with pure ocular myasthenia gravis (MG) and 9 controls. Thirteen patients were also assessed with SFEMG in the orbicularis oculi (OO) muscle. All the MG patients but none of the control subjects showed abnormal SFEMG jitter in the SR-LP muscles. On the other hand, only 62% of the MG patients had abnormal SFEMG jitter in the OO muscle. The procedure was well tolerated by the patients, and complications were minor. We conclude that SFEMG of the SR–LP muscles is a safe and highly sensitive technique for the diagnosis of ocular MG. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

Mechanisms of fatigue in normal intercostal muscle and muscle from patients with myasthenia gravis

Fatigue mechanisms in normal intercostal muscle and muscle from patients with myasthenia gravis (MG) were evaluated by monitoring the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) and tetanic tension responses to repetitive nerve or muscle stimulation in vitro. When fatigue was induced by nerve stimulation at 30 Hz for 0.5 s every 2.5 s, about half of the original tension decreased after 30 min in normal muscle and 5 min in MG muscle. Analysis of the changes in area of CMAPs and tension indicated that impairment of neuromuscular transmission, muscle membrane excitation, and excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling and contractility accounted for 40%, 29%, and 31% of fatigue in normal muscle, and 83%, 0%, and 17% of fatigue in MG muscle. When fatigue was induced by muscle stimulation at 30 Hz, tension declined by a quarter after 30 min in normal muscle, but by a half after 17 min in MG muscle. Impairment of muscle membrane excitation and E-C coupling and contractility accounted for 58% and 42% of fatigue in normal muscle, and 22% and 78% of fatigue in MG muscle. Thus, fatigue of normal muscle is caused by impairment of at least four processes, and enhanced fatigue of MG muscle is caused by greater impairment of neuromuscular transmission, E-C coupling, and contractility. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.     

运动神经元病患者胸锁乳突肌肌电图的特征

目的探讨运动神经元病(MND)患者胸锁乳突肌(SCM)肌电图的特征。方法回顾性分析461例MND患者及349例非MND患者的临床和肌电图资料。结果MND组SCM肌电图异常率(60.3%)显著高于非MND组(4.6%)(P<0.01);确诊级MND患者SCM肌电图的异常率(77.4%)明显高于其他诊断级(均P<0.01);MND组中,SCM肌电图的异常率(60.3%)低于上、下肢体肌肉的肌电图(93.2%、84.4%)(均P<0.001);MND患者SCM肌电图异常以自发电位(42.5%)和轻收缩时运动单位电位时限增宽(43.2%)最为常见;MND组有延髓症状者SCM肌电图的异常率(71.7%)明显高于无延髓症状者(54.3%)(P<0.05)。结论MND患者SCM肌电图异常率及其特异性高,为延髓肌受累的指征,有助于MND的诊断与鉴别诊断。     

近端/远端复合肌肉动作电位振幅比率在术后面神经功能评估上的价值

目的 探讨近端/远端复合肌肉动作电位振幅比率在术后面神经肿瘤侵犯段功能评估上的价值和对早期面神经修复的指导意义。方法 比较术末面神经近端/远端复合肌肉动作电位振幅比率和术后2周、6个月患侧面神经功能的H-B分级之间的关系。结果 术后6个月面神经H-B分级恢复到Ⅰ-Ⅱ级者,术末近端/远端复合肌肉动作电位振幅比率均>0.3。结论 术末面神经近端/远端复合肌肉动作电位振幅比率是判断术后面神经远期功能,特别是肿瘤侵犯段功能的重要指标,为术中直接修复面神经提供了指导依据。