[Satellite potentials in electromyograms in patients with Duchenne progressive muscular atrophy]

CN EMG study was performed in 30 patients with Duchenne Muscle Dystrophy. The frequency of Motor Unit Potential (MUP) with satellite components was reviewed. The amplitude and duration of individual components as well as the distance between main MUAP and satellite components were measured. The results were correlated with clinical data (duration of the disease, muscle force and wasting) and morphological (obtained from rectus femoris open biopsy). Satellite components were found in 34% of the MUP number. A positive correlation was found (p 0.001) between the duration of the complex MUP (main MUP with satellite components) and muscle force. There was no evident correlation between the morphological findings (muscle fibre regeneration and necrosis) and occurrence of satellite potentials. The diagnostic yield of satellite potentials in neuromuscular diseases in discussed.