Neuromuscular electrodiagnosis

The electrodiagnostic (EDX) study is an extension of the clinical examination, which means that the clinical features dictate the initial nerve conduction studies (NCS) performed. However, once the EDX study is started, it continues in an independent manner, meaning that the initial NCS findings dictate the subsequent studies performed. Because competent EDX study performance requires considerable knowledge (and special training), it is not possible to convey all of the basic and advanced concepts in a single chapter. Nonetheless, the most important concepts are easily conveyed by a discussion limited to EDX-pertinent anatomical, physiological, pathological, pathophysiological, and basic electrical concepts. The focus of this chapter will be on the standard NCS and needle EMG measurements made during EDX studies and their significance with regard to lesion localization and characterization. Because the most challenging portion of EDX study is motor unit action potential analysis, this topic is more extensively reviewed. The utility of the sensory NCS for identifying focal axon loss, the utility of the motor NCS for screening long nerve segments for focal demyelination and for determining lesion severity, and the utility of the needle EMG for confirming the NCS findings, better defining lesion localization, and identifying the temporal features (e.g., chronicity) and rate of progression of the lesion are also reviewed.