[Possibilities and limitations of electromyography in peripheral nerve lesions]

Besides the clinical examination, electromyography is the most important method in the diagnosis of peripheral nerve lesions. Together with the clinical findings it provides rather accurate information concerning the localisation, the severity and the type of a nerve lesion. However, one has to be aware of the limitations and the pitfalls of the method in order to prevent diagnostic errors. Besides a more general description of the diagnostic possibilities, the findings in traumatic nerve lesions and in entrapment neuropathies are discussed in more detail.