Frequency and outcome of neoplastic brachial plexopathy: single institution experience

Symptomatic neoplastic brachial plexopathy (NBP) is estimated to occur in about 0.4% of all patients with cancer. The aim of this review was to determine the incidence of NBP occurring in patients referred for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A retrospective review over a 5 year period revealed that a total of sixty-six MRls of brachial plexus were performed. Twenty-nine were performed for assessment of suspected traumatic injuries. Eighteen MRIs were performed in patients with a known cancer diagnosis, one was performed in a patient with a benign thymoma, one with a neurofibroma and the remaining seventeen MRIs were ordered for other conditions. In total, thirteen MRls were positive for brachial plexopathy (seven traumatic, five due to cancer, one neurofibroma). Of the twenty MRIs performed in patients with neoplasms, six (30%) confirmed a diagnosis of NBRP. Twenty seven point eight per cent (5/18) of patients with a diagnosis of cancer had NBP.     

平山病的临床与神经电生理学特点分析

目的：分析平山病的临床与神经电生理学特点,以提高对平山病的诊断水平。方法：对21例确诊为平山病的患者进行运动和感觉传导速度、肌电图（EMG）、F波及交感皮肤反应（SSR）等神经电生理学检查。结果：对126条神经进行检测,神经传导速度（NCV）测定总异常率为16．7％（21／126）,主要表现为远端运动潜伏期（DML）延长及复合肌肉动作电位（CMAP）波幅下降,感觉神经传导速度均正常。F波平均最小潜伏期为（28．70±3．10）ms,平均出现率为47．70％,总异常率为76．2％。患者患侧上肢及对侧上肢远端肌（不包括肱桡肌）EMG呈神经原性改变者分别为1000及90．5％,主要异常表现为出现自发电位运动单位电位（MUP）时限延长、波幅增宽、多相波增多及募集相等异常。上肢远端肌EMG异常率为91．5％,明显高于上肢近端肌的8．0％及下肢肌的3．5％。结论：平山病可出现神经电生理上的亚临床改变,神经电生理检查对其有较高的诊断价值。     

运动神经元病的神经电生理诊断方法探讨

目的：探讨运动神经元病（MND）诊断中神经电生理检测方法及特点。方法：对22例MND病人常规进行运动神经、感觉神经传导检测（NCS）,侧重肌电图（EMG）检测四肢肌肉（特别是远端肌）及舌肌、胸锁乳突肌、T10椎旁肌,观察所检肌肉静息、轻收缩、重收缩时的变化。结果：NCS检测运动神经102条,感觉神经90条均在正常范围。EMG检测肌肉243块均表现为广泛性神经原性损害,其中：186块（22例）可见失神经电位（纤颤电位、正尖波）,162块（15例）见束颤电位,144块（18例）见高波幅（≥5mV）、宽时限的巨大电位,128块（17例）重收缩时见募集电位减弱为高波幅的单纯相。EMG舌肌检测阳性率为82％;胸锁乳突肌检测阳性率为52％;T10椎旁肌检测阳性率为75％。结论：神经电生理检测指标在MND诊断中十分必要,其中EMG是诊断MND最重要的检测手段,EMG广泛性神经原性损害是MND特征性改变。束颤电位、巨大电位是诊断MND的常用指标。舌肌、胸锁乳突肌和椎旁肌在MND的诊断中具有特异性,是有价值的检查方法,舌肌和胸锁乳突肌作为必选检测肌肉可以提高诊断阳性率。舌肌与胸锁乳突肌EMG的结合诊断价值更高。     

臂丛神经损伤的神经电生理研究

目的：研究神经电生理检查在臂丛神经损伤中的应用价值。方法：对84例臂丛神经损伤患者患肢分别进行MCV、末端潜伏期、CMAP、SCV及F波检测,观察神经损伤情况。同时用同心针电极对受损神经所支配的肌肉进行肌电图检查。必要时与健侧手进行对比。结果：本组患者84例,多见于男性青壮年患者。其中全臂丛损伤25例,臂丛神经上中干损伤37例,臂丛神经下干损伤22例,臂丛神经节前损伤22例,臂丛神经节后损伤28例。结论：神经电生理检查可以提供臂丛神经五大分支的功能状态、受损程度及损伤部位,对临床诊断、治疗和预后判断起着重要作用。     

肌萎缩侧索硬化症患者的临床与神经电生理特点分析

目的：探讨肌萎缩侧索硬化症（ALs）患者的临床特点以及肌电图（EMG）和神经传导检测对ALS的诊断价值。方法：对56例ALS患者回顾性分析其临床特点、神经传导检测及其胸锁乳突肌、下胸段脊旁肌及肢体肌的EMG资料。结果：56例患者均呈广泛神经原性损害,胸锁乳突肌EMG异常率为89％,胸段脊旁肌EMG异常率为77％。两者异常率均低于上、下肢肌EMG的异常率（分别为100％,91％）。结论：早期EMG及神经传导检测有助于ALS的早期确诊,行胸锁乳突肌及下胸段脊旁肌EMG检测对ALs的诊断及鉴别诊断有重要价值。     

神经电生理检查对外伤性臂丛神经损伤的诊断价值

目的：分析冲经电生理检测对外伤性臂从神经损伤的诊断作用。方法：对40例外伤性臂扶冲经损伤患者进行神经传导检测和对该神经所支配的肌肉进行针极肌电图检查并结合分析。结果：全臂丛伸经损伤13例（其中10例完全损伤）;臂丛上干损伤21（其中完全损伤6例）;臂丛下干损伤3例（其中完全损伤1例）;束支平面损伤3例;合并神经根撕脱伤15例。结论：神经电生理检查对臂丛神经损伤有指导治疗和评价预后的重要作用。     

36例手足口病合并急性弛缓性麻痹患儿的肌电图分析

目的：探讨神经电生理检查在手足口病（HFMD）合并急性迟缓性麻痹（AFP）患儿的特点及应用价值。方法：对36例手足口病合并急性迟缓性麻痹患儿进行运动神经传导速度（MCV）、感觉神经传导速度（SCV）、F波及肌电图（EMG）检查,共检测176条运动神经、88条感觉冲经、98条神经的F波及285块肌肉,并对结果进行分析。结果：运动神经传导异常率为52．8％,其中运动传导波幅下降占81％,未引出反应波者为15％,MCV减慢或潜伏期延长者为4％,感觉传导异常牢为6％,F波异常率为10％,EMG出现自发电位者为28．4％,出现高大运动单位电位（MUP）者为48．1％,募集相减少63.9％。结论：HFMD合并AFP患儿有神经原性损害,以轴突损害电生理改变为主,多累及近端神经,以运动神经受累为主。神经电生理检查对HFMD合并AFP患儿的诊断治疗及判断预后有重要价值。     

Carpal tunnel syndrome: comparison of the compound muscle action potentials recorded at the thenar region from ulnar and median nerve stimulation

Thenar muscles are primarily innervated by the median nerve. However, compound muscle action potentials (CMAPs) evoked by ulnar nerve stimulation can be recorded at the thenar region due to proximity of some ulnar-innervated muscles, and from volume conduction events. This study was to determine if loss of thenar muscle mass from carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) could alter the size of ulnar CMAPs obtained at the thenar region, because of changes in the physical surroundings and electrical conductivity. Supramaximal CMAPs were recorded over the thenar eminence to electrical stimulation of the ulnar nerve at the wrist and median nerve at the palm in 102 hands with CTS. Needle EMG was done in the thenar muscles. Severity of needle EMG abnormality was negatively correlated with median-evoked CMAP amplitude (r = -0.76), but not with ulnar-evoked CMAP amplitude (r = -0.12). There was no correlation between the absolute amplitudes of the median and ulnar CMAPs (r = -0.13). Needle EMG abnormality had modest negative correlation (r = -0.43) with median/ulnar CMAP amplitude ratio. Mean median/ulnar CMAP amplitude ratios for normal EMG and for mild, moderate, and severe needle EMG abnormalities were 3.72, 3.31, 1.56, and 0.37, respectively. The absolute amplitude of the ulnar CMAP recorded at the thenar area does not seem to be influenced significantly by the degree of thenar muscle loss (atrophy) from median nerve pathology. However, if the median/ulnar CMAP amplitude ratio falls below 0.5, the study suggests severe loss of motor units in the thenar muscles.     

运动神经元病的临床及神经电生理分析

目的:探讨本地区运动神经元病(MND)患者的临床表现及神经电生理特点。方法:对入选的21例MND患者进行肌电图(EMG)及神经传导检测(NCS),分析其临床特征及神经电生理特点。结果:在21例患者中,运动神经传导检测异常率为55.2%,主要表现为M波波幅降低;感觉神经传导正常率为98.85%。静息时发现纤颤电位18例(85.71%),正锐波16例(76.19%),束颤电位6例(28.57%),运动单位电位时限延长18例(85.71%),平均波幅增高10例(47.62%),大力收缩时表现为单纯相9例(42.86%)。其中上下肢肌肉的异常率为71.08%,胸锁乳突肌的异常率为92.31%,胸椎旁肌的异常率为33.33%。结论:神经电生理检查对MND的诊断非常重要,其中EMG检测是MND诊断的重要手段。EMG呈广泛性的运动神经元损害是MND的特征性改变,束颤电位在诊断中有重要价值。胸锁乳突肌阳性率高,可作为检查延髓节段下运动神经元受累的首选肌肉。     

N-hexane neuropathy in screen printers

BACKGROUND: To study the clinical and electrophysiological profile of n-hexane neuropathy in a tertiary care center of India. METHODS: Twenty five screen printers from five different factories, with peripheral neuropathy were included in the study. A detailed general physical, systemic and neurological examination was conducted Visual acuity, color vision and field charting was done in all the subjects. All patients were subjected to Folstein mini mental scale examination. Electrophysiological evaluation included motor and sensory conduction studies of the conventionally studied nerves of upper and lower limbs, Needle EMG of various distal and proximal muscles and patterned visual evoked responses. The electrophysiological profile was repeated every three months till one year. Sural nerve biopsy was studied in six patients. The patients were followed for a maximum of 4 years. RESULTS: Twenty three [92%] patients had sensory- motor neuropathy, while pure sensory neuropathy was seen in two. The sensory conductions were affected almost equally in upper as well as the lower limbs, while the motor conductions were affected more in the lower limbs than the upper limbs. The sensory conductions were not recordable in both the upper and the lower limbs in 18 [72%] patients. Motor conduction studies revealed an asymmetric and patchy involvement. Proximal conduction block was seen in 3 patients [12%]. On needle EMG features of denervation were seen in all patients. P100 latency was normal in all. Sural nerve biopsy showed a selective decrease in large myelinated axons with demyelination. Axonal swelling with focal areas of demyelination was observed in two patients. CONCLUSIONS: The electrophysiological patterns as well as the histopathology reflect the pathophysiology of n-hexane neuropathy.     

膈神经移位至臂丛上干前股的临床应用及疗效分析

目的：报道膈神经移位至臂丛上干前股的临床应用，分析疗效欠佳的原因并探讨应对措施。方法：回顾白1999年3月-2005年2月行膈神经移位至臂丛上干前股术式的38例患者手术情况，对肌皮神经恢复情况进行随访并功能评定，并对影响疗效的各因素进行分析以探讨相应的防治措施。结果：获15个月以上随访患者共29例，优良率为62．1％，功能恢复优良组与非优良组患者的病程及牵拉伤比率存在显著性差异（P〈0.05）。再手术探查发现手术失败的原因有：神经吻接口张力大、存在臂丛的组成变异及多段损伤等。基于神经解剖特点，作者针对减低膈神经吻接口张力提出了手术改良措施并取得满意的疗效。结论：影响该术式疗效的因素有多种，严格把握手术适应症及术中仔细探查是提高治疗效果的关键；通过术式改良可有效降低神经吻接口张力，有助于神经恢复。     

Clinical and electrophysiological assessments in ALS patients.

Since the relationships between traditional assessments in ALS patients have not been defined, three clinical and four electrophysiological assessments were performed in a cross-sectional study of 87 ALS patients. The clinical assessments produced Norris ALS scores, muscle strength scores and illness durations (DUR). The electrophysiological assessments produced scores for motor unit interference pattern, denervation potentials, compound muscle action potential, and fasciculations. The individual muscle scores were averaged to produce mean scores, and Spearman rank correlations were performed on the mean scores. The association between Norris ALS and mean muscle strength (MMS) scores is significant (p less than .001, rs = 0.84), and these scores are significantly correlated with mean interference pattern (0.77, 0.82), mean denervation potential (-0.63, -0.70), and mean compound muscle action potential scores (0.55, 0.60), respectively. Correlations between IP and DP scores (-0.71), IP and CMAP scores (0.62), and DP and CMAP (-0.56) scores are also significant. Scatterplots of the data and regression lines suggest linear relationships between each of these assessments. Illness duration and fasciculation scores are not strongly correlated (rs less than 0.55) with any of the other clinical or electrophysiological assessments.     

臂丛神经损伤临床及肌电图诊断

目的:探讨臂丛神经损伤患者的临床特点及肌电图(EMG)诊断。方法:对2000年1月～2010年1月间经手术治疗的35例臂丛神经损伤患者进行临床及肌电图分析。结果:手术所见与神经电生理检测结果完全符合62.9%,基本符合为31.4%;EMG推测病变范围大多较手术所见损伤范围广。结论:综合临床、影像学资料,电生理测试可对臂丛神经损伤提出定性定位分类诊断,为临床诊断及手术提供可靠的依据。     

1999 Marmara earthquake; peripheral nerve injuries--electrophysiologic evaluation

This study evaluated the clinical, demographic and electromyographic (EMG) findings of 75 patients referred to our EMG laboratory with the preliminary diagnosis of peripheral nerve injury (PNI) during the 1999 Marmara earthquake. Forty-two patients had single and 33 had serial EMGs. Seventy-nine percent of the patients were found to have PNI. Eighty-six percent of these had PNI of the extremities and 23.7% had brachial plexus injury. PNI were detected in the upper extremities in 39% of patients, in the lower extremities in 47.5% of patients and in both extremities in 13.5% of patients. It was observed that brachial plexus degeneration was at a higher rate in patients with compartment and crush syndromes (35.70% and 42.9%) and peripheral nerve (PN) degeneration was higher in patients remaining under the debris (37%). In control EMG examinations, regeneration findings were observed at a rate of 79.2% in the upper extremities and 55.3% in the lower extremities (mean 64.5%) in the patients with PNI of the extremities and 90.9% in the patients with brachial plexus injury. In conclusion, after a mean EMG follow-up of 4 months in 75 earthquake victims a reasonably high level of regeneration findings shows that prognosis will be good in the majority of patients.     

Electrophysiologic correlates of weakness in L5/S1 radiculopathy

INTRODUCTION: Management of patients with radiculopathy involves estimating the degree of physiologic and anatomic injury, and weighing that to predict the likely clinical course. OBJECTIVE: To determine whether low distal peroneal and tibial CMAP amplitudes correlate with weakness and fibrillations of functionally relevant muscles in L5/S1 radiculopathy (LSR). METHODS: We reviewed clinical and electrophysiologic data in 66 consecutive patients with LSR. RESULTS: A significantly greater number of patients with low peroneal CMAP amplitudes had weakness of L5 (p = 0.025) and S1 innervated leg muscles (p < 0.001). Low tibial CMAP amplitudes were also associated with weakness of S1 innervated muscles (p < 0.038). The association of low peroneal CMAP amplitudes with weakness persisted when weakness of at least 3 muscles was considered in the analysis for L5 (p < 0.0001) and S1 (p = 0.014) innervated muscles. CONCLUSIONS: Low peroneal and tibial CMAP amplitudes may serve as surrogate measures for segmental weakness of functionally relevant muscles in LSR.     

肩胛上神经卡压综合征的电生理诊断

目的：探讨肩胛上神经卡压综合征电生理诊断方法。方法：对10例肩胛上神经卡压综合征的病人应用肌电图（EMG）观察自发电位,检测肩胛上神经支配肌冈上肌、冈下肌;腋神经支配肌三角肌;肩胛背神经支配肌提肩胛肌的复合肌肉动作电位（CMAP）,观察指标为潜伏期、波幅的变化。结果：10例病人冈上肌均见自发电位,募集反应减弱,CMAP潜伏期延长,波幅降低,且波形离散。结论：电生理是诊断和鉴别诊断肩胛上神经卡压综合征的重要辅助手段。     

神经电生理对臀部肌注致坐骨神经损伤的诊断价值

目的：探讨神经电生理检测对臀部肌注致坐骨神经损伤的诊断意义。方法：对34例患者进行腓总神经、胫神经的神经传导速度（NCV）检测，并对胫骨前肌、腓肠肌、股二头肌长短头、椎旁肌L4-S1进行针极肌电图检测。结果：34例病例中，腓总神经传导速度NCV异常29例（85．3％），胫神经13例（38．2％），腓总神经、胫神经同时异常8例（23．5％）。经统计学处理，与正常对照组比较差异有显著意义（P〈0．01）。肌电图示，有失神经电位改变者：胫前肌为29例（85．3％），股二头肌短头为29例（85．3％），腓肠肌为13例（38．2％），股二头肌长头为13例（38．2％）。结论：神经电生理检测对臀部肌注致坐骨神经损伤的诊断可提供客观依据。     

Radiation-induced brachial plexopathy: clinical and electromyographical (EMG) considerations in 13 cases

The purpose of this study was to determine the clinical and electromyographical characteristics of the initial picture, and the subsequent course of the radiation-induced brachial plexopathy. The AA. studied 13 females affected by infiltrating carcinoma of the breast, who underwent a radical mastectomy with removal of the axillary cavity, followed by radiotherapy (total dose was 50 Gy per cycle). The symptom-free interval between the end of radiotherapy and the appearance of symptoms varied considerably (from one month to 15 years). The initial clinical picture presented pain (5 cases), paresthesia (6 cases) and motor deficit (8 cases). EMG examination showed a pluriradicular denervation in 10 cases (with a very frequent damage of the lower roots of the plexus) and a monoradicular denervation in 3 cases. In 6 cases it was possible to carry out a follow-up with repeated tests for 3-17 years after radiotherapy. The role of the EMG in the diagnosis and prognosis of this plexopathy is then discussed.     

Electrophysiological findings in poliomyelitis patients at the subacute phase.

Electrodiagnostic tests-needle EMG, nerve conduction and somatosentory evoked potential (SEP) studies of the upper and the lower limbs were performed in three patients during the subacute phase of poliomyelitis. Although poliomyelitis is traditionally considered a "pure motor" disease, involvement of the sensory system was demonstrated by prolonged sensory nerve conduction and by delayed latencies and amplitude asymmetries of SEPs obtained from the lower limbs. Sensory deficit in poliomyelitis is well known to exist during the acute phase of illness. The present report describes the electrophysiological findings in patients during the subacute phase, several months after onset of illness. Sensory nerve action potentials and sensory evoked potentials were abnormal, especially those elicited by lower limb stimulation although the patients had no overt signs of sensory loss at that time. The associated EMG findings are described, and the probable pathologic changes of the motor unit are discussed.     

Paraspinal muscle responses during sudden upper limb loading

The paraspinal muscle responses for unexpected and expected upper limb loading were investigated by surface EMG of 20 healthy volunteers. The simultaneous trunk and hand accelerations with paraspinal, biceps brachii and soleus muscles EMG were measured in four subjects. A short-latency response of ~50 ms was observed in paraspinal muscles. The latency was ~3 ms shorter (P=0.017) during "expected" trials on average and the latency shortened during the first three expected trials (P=0.02). Anticipation also decreased the magnitude of the response (P<0.05). Trunk movement initiated ~35 ms and ~50 ms after the impact of the load at T6 and T12 levels, respectively. In conclusion, visual expectation shortens the latency and decreases the magnitude of the paraspinal muscle response to sudden upper limb loading. Also, the trial repetition has an effect on reflex latency if visual information is available. These results indicate that anticipation modulates the reflex control of paraspinal muscles, which may be significant in understanding spinal function. Electronic Publication