Clinical study of magnetic stimulation of peripheral nerves

Magnetic stimulation of the peripheral nerves is a recently developed technique and has exciting prospects in clinical neurophysiology. An experiment was performed comparing the conventional electric stimulation with magnetic stimulation of the median nerve of a normal population. Magnetic stimulation produced comparable results as far as latency, amplitudes and configuration of action potentials in most patients. The technique of magnetic stimulation is discussed. Its shortcomings are in locating the magnetic coil's point of stimulation on the nerve and difficulty in achieving supramaximal stimulation. Its great advantage is that it is painless and that deep nerves can be reached.