Influence of recording site on CMAP amplitude and on its variation over a length of nerve

Abstract

The distinctions between blocking, abnormal temporal dispersion, and normal conduction require delineation of the normal change in amplitude of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) over a length of nerve. Effects of the recording site on CMAP amplitude and on its variation were studied in median and ulnar nerves of 13 healthy subjects. CMAPs were recorded from three sites: halfway along the muscles and 1 cm distal and proximal. Elbow-wrist amplitude percentages (CMAP%) were calculated. CMAP amplitudes varied considerably between sites and subjects. Amplitudes were maximal at the middle site in only 16 of 26 nerves. The site of maximal amplitude could not be identified on the basis of thumb anatomy. CMAP% was not related to CMAP amplitude, and differed by up to 32% between adjacent sites. CMAP formation involves spatial factors (electrode site, limb position, and limb anatomy), temporal factors (dispersion), and their interaction, explaining why CMAP% can exceed 100%. The site of the recording electrode affects CMAP amplitude and CMAP% to clinically relevant degrees. Standardization of the recording site may improve reliability of CMAP% studies.