Electrodiagnosis Flashcards
Results Aid in The Diagnosis of Peripheral Nervous System Disease; Goal of Test - To observe the time and quality of the conduction of a nerve impulse in motor & sensory axons
Nerve conduction test
The impulse of a nerve impulse is analyzed for what conduction features?
- Amplitude
- Duration
- Shape of the waveform
- Conduction velocity
- Latency (time for nerve impulse transmission)
Velocity becomes slower in conditions with a decreased ______. What does decreased velocity indicate?
amount of myelin
- results indicate demyelination or entrapment
Decreases in the amplitude of the impulse with normal or slightly slowed velocity indicate ___________.
axonal degeneration
The first response in a NCT; Proximal Stimulus travels distally (Orthodromic) to the muscle results in the
M wave response
- determines peripheral entrapment
- early response
- measured in the muscle
In a NCT; Impulse also travels proximally (Antidromic) to anterior horn cell reactivating the motor neuron, impulse travels distally resulting in the
F wave response
- determines more proximal entrapment (i.e., ventral root)
- measured in the muscle
____ used to evaluate nerve segments peripheral to the point of stimulation. _____ used to evaluate more proximal motor nerve segments to the point of stimulation.
M Wave; F Wave
During an NCT, what wave is used to assess disorders like guillan-barre, charcot-marie-tooth, and thoracic outlet?
F wave
Proximal stimulus – impulses travel distally and are recorded from a branch of the sensory n.
- Disadvantage: motor and sensory n. stimulated resulting muscle contraction and movement artifact that could introduce measurement error.
Antidromic sensory NCT
Distal stimulus – impulses travel proximally, a more specific measure of sensory n. conduction.
Orthodromic sensory NCT
What is the clinical use of evaluating the H reflex?
Most useful to evaluate proximal conduction of IA afferent impulses through the dorsal root to the alpha motor neurons, which pass out of the S1 foramen to innervate the soleus muscle
Represents conduction along trigeminal N. and facial N. measured in orbicularis occuli muscle; never recorded from contralateral Obicularis oculi muscle
First response (R1)
Represents the time of conduction along the trigeminal pontine relay and facial nerve (Ipsilateral recording)
Second response (R2)
Contralateral recording opposite side of stimulus
Second response (R2') - stimulus crossed over through the pons
What is the clinical use of the blink reflex?
- brain stem pathologies
- Bell’s Palsy and other facial N. injuries
- trigeminal neuralgia
- multiple sclerosis
- Guillain – Barre’ syndrome
- Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease
- Whiplash injuries with dizziness
What disease is indicated with a blink reflex measurement: Amplitude of R2 is decreased;R2 may be delayed
Bell’s palsy
What disease is indicated with a blink reflex measurement: R2 for ipsilateral stimulation of right side would be prolonged. R2’ for contralateral stimulation on both sides would be delayed due to impaired transmission through the tumor site. Left R1 and R2 for ipsilateral stimulation would be normal.
Right brain stem tumor