Introduction to EMG for Anesthesiologists and Pain Control Physicians

EMG and Nerve Conduction Studies are an extension of the Physical Examination which can Quantitates nerve and/or muscle injury and Provides Useful Data Regarding Nerve Injury; Site, Type, Severity, Duration and Prognosis. In fact NCSs and EMG, assess physiology of nerves and muscles. It’s important to know that, neurologic consultation is best obtained before the testing is ordered. If NCSs and EMG are normal or non-contributory, justification for neurologic consultation is greater than before testing. Situations which, a physicians need to order electro diagnosis exam, are; Mononeuropathy, Mononeuropathy Multiplex, Radiculopathy, Plexopathy (Brachial or Lumbosacral), Anterior Horn Cell Disorders, Diffuse neuropathies, Cranial neuropathies, Neuromuscular Junction Disorders and Myopathy. In contrast, there are some situation that EMG, NCS can’t help physicians, and those are; Central Nervous System Disorders (Stroke, TIA, Encephalopathy, spinal cord injury), Multiple Sclerosis, Total body fatigue, fibromyalgia, Joint pain, Unexplained weakness (without a neurologic consultation), Failed back, S/P multiple neck and low back surgeries, In place of a neurologic consultation.The last word, the utility od electro diagnosis exam are; Highly sensitive indicator of early nerve injury, Detects dynamic and functional injury missed by MRI, Provides information regarding chronicity of nerve injury, Provides prognostic data, Highly localizing, Clarifies clinical scenarios when one disorder mimics another, Identifies combined multi-site injury, avoiding missed diagnoses, Identifies more global neuromuscular injury with focal onset and Provides longitudinal data for charting course, response to therapy. But these all depend on a reliable laboratory with full repertoire of techniques.

کلیدواژه ها:

Electrodiagnosis ، Nerve Conduction study ، Electromyography ، Radiculopathy ، Pain