ELECTROMYOGRAPHY AND ELECTRIC STIMULATION OF NERVES IN DISEASES OF MOTOR UNIT

TLDR

Electromyography and related neurophysiological techniques are increasingly used to diagnose and study neuromuscular diseases. Tracings of electric potentials in voluntary muscle are obtained by inserting needle electrodes. These newer techniques are evaluated and illustrated through cases of carpal tunnel syndrome and a novel myasthenic syndrome linked to intrathoracic neoplasms, demonstrating their diagnostic utility.

Abstract

† Tracings of electric potentials in voluntary muscle can be obtained by inserting needle electrodes. Electromyography and related neurophysiological techniques are being used with increasing frequency and effectiveness in the diagnosis and study of diseases of the motor unit (neuromuscular diseases). The value of these newer techniques is assessed in general and illustrated by specific examples. Cases are included to indicate how electromyographic data can be used in the diagnosis of carpal tunnel syndrome. Also, cases of a new myasthenic syndrome associated with intrathoracic neoplasms are described to show the use of electromyography and nerve stimulation in distinguishing the syndrome from myasthenia gravis.