The diagnostic yield of automatic EMG analysis in neuromuscular diseases

The aim of the study was to evaluate the diagnostic yield of automatic EMG analysis employed in differentiating normal from diseased muscle and myogenic, neural and spinal lesions. The material comprised 520 patients with neuromuscular diseases. Only diagnostically confirmed cases were included into the study. The control group comprised 51 healthy subjects. In all patients and healthy subjects routine EMG examination was performed by means of both the conventional technique and automatic method. On the basis of the statistical analysis of the material the authors concluded that the method of automated EMG using the Polish minicomputer Anops makes possible distinction of the main types of pathological processes affecting the muscles with higher than previously objectivity and reliability. They stress, however, the important role of the examiner and his experience.