Electromyography for Differential Diagnosis Flashcards
What IS EMG?
Components broken down
- Graphy→ measurement & analysis
- Electro→ electrical properties and signals
- Myo→ muscle*
3 Types of EMG:
- EMG Biofeedback
- Kinesiologic EMG
- Diagnostic EMG=> EDX***
Basic Definition:
EMG Biofeedback
- Electrical detection of mm activation & provides qualitative info on status of muscle contraction
- GOAL: reduce pain/spasm OR improve motor control & strength
Basic Definition:
Kinesiologic EMG
- Fine wire intramuscular & surface electrodes
- Analysis of activation of mm’s w/in postural tasks, functional mvmts, work, conditions, tx/training regimes
- Think videogames!
- Researchers, sport scientists, graphic artists, product designers*, rehab practitioners
Basic Definition:
Diagnostic EMG=> EDX*
- Electrodiagnostic Examination
- 1.Needle EMG & 2.Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
- Analysis of depolarization of nerve & mm’s to determine functional integrity of NMSK system and Peripheral System
2 Components of EDX (Dx EMG)
- Needle EMG
- Nerve Conduction Studies (NCS)
EDX used in conjunction w/:
- w/ Hx, clinical exam and other tests to establish definitive dx** in **peripheral neurologic and mm disorders
Medical Necessity of EDX
Pt Signs, Symptoms, & Hx that warrant EDX
See pics and common themes!!!
Medical Necessity of EDX
Common Medical Dx where EDX are Utilized:
see pics and note the differences and similarities in Dx’s !!!
EDX vs. Other Assessment Tools
How do they compare?
Looking @ Sn and Sp
- Sn== our TRUE POSITIVE rate
- opp would be False Negatives
- SP== our TRUE NEGATIVE rate
- opp would be False Positives
Ex. Clinical Scenario 1
- Diff Dx?
- B CTS vs peripheral polyneuropathy
- More approp interventions to address recent exacerbation?
- Tx hand dysf as per CPG
- Education & referral to PCP for med mgmt
Clinical 1 and outcomes of EDX
-
Outcomes:
- ID presence of nerve injury or mm disease
- ID which nerves or muscles are damaged
-
Characterize lesion
- Fiber type & severity
EDX Component
Nerve Conduction Studies
2 Functions:
- Measure how well a peripheral nerve can conduct an induced stimulus=> evoked potential
- Electrically stimulate/activate nerve @ various pts along superficial path of nerve & record output @ target organ
The second function of Nerve Conduction Studies is Electrically stimulate/activate nerve @ various pts along superficial path of nerve & record output @ target organ
More to this?
- Target organ:
- Muscle→ MOTOR nerve conduction study
- Skin→ SENSORY nerve conduction study
-
ENTIRE nerve pathway→ Late responses (H-reflex & F-wave)
- Stim nerve distally & record output of nerve→ cell body→ muscle
NCS: What does this look like?
Ex. EDX Component: NCS
Ex. Median Motor nerve
Median Motor Nerve
Recording from APB w/ stim @ wrist, elbow, axilla
EDX Component: NCS
Median f-wave vs. Tibial H-reflex
GOOGLE DIFFERENCE bw F-wave and H-reflex
see pics
F- Wave
- Useful for evaluating conduction probs in prox region of nerve
- One of several motor responses which may follow direct motor response evoked by electrical stim of peripheral motor or mixed nerves
- Always preceded by a motor response
- Best obtained in small foot and hand mm’s.
- Helpful w/ presence of polyneuropathy
H-reflex
- Can be accomplished w/ slow, long-duration stimuli w/ gradually inc’ing stim strength
- Provide nerve conduction measurements along entire length of nerve
- Can demo abnorms in neuropathies and radiculopathies
- easily obtained in Soleus (w/ post tib nerve @ pop. fossa), FCR (w/ median nerve stim @ elbow), Quads (w/ femoral nerve stim)
NCS QUANTitative Data
3 MOST COMMONLY Used:
- Distal Latency→ Speed, Strength of nerves
- Conduction Velocity → How fast and distance traveled
- Amplitude→ How strong
NCS QUANTitative Data:
3 MOST COMMONLY Used:
Distal Latency (think speed, strength)
-
Time it takes for electrical signal to reach target tissue from the most distal pt of stimulation
- Miliseconds (ms)
- Onset latency (O)→ MNCS (motor), SNCS (sensory)
- Peak latency (P)→ SNCS (sensory)
- Miliseconds (ms)
NCS QUANTitative Data:
3 MOST COMMONLY Used:
Conduction Velocity (think how fast + distance traveled)
- Time it takes for electrical impulse to travel BETWEEN 2 given points along course of nerve
- Meters per second (M/s)
NCS QUANTitative Data:
3 MOST COMMONLY Used:
Amplitude (think how Strong)
- Measure of how many working axons are activated when nerve is electrically stim’d
- Microvolts or milivolts (uV or mV)
- Onset to peak (O→P)→ MNCS, SNCS
- Peak to trough (P→T)→ SNCS
NCS QUANTitative Data:
3 MOST COMMONLY Used:
EXAMPLE CHART
see pics!!!
NCS Data Interpretation
What does Myelin do?
INC speed of nerve conduction!
NCS Data Interpretation
If its a prob w/ “how fast”
Myelin problem
NCS Data Interp.
If its a problem w/ SIZE (amplitude)
Usually AXON problem
NCS Data Interpretation
Absolute vs. Relative values of patient
Compare each relevant data point to Normal
- Absolute values→ determined by research
- Relative values of patient→ Ipsilat an Contralat***
NCS Data Interpretation
SLOW speed of nerve impulse @ only one location of nerve==>
Focal demyelinating injury of THAT nerve @ THAT location
NCS Data Interpretation
SLOW speed of a nerve impulse @ MULTIPLE loc’s of a nerve and/or multiple nerves==>
Widespread demyelinating disorder