Article

Assessment of acute peripheral neuropathies may be made difficult by EMG findings showing polyphasic potentials with short spikes similar to those found in myopathies. Estimation of the number of recruited MUPs and their firing rate is often not possible because of poor cooperation by the patient. Thus objective evaluation must be sought in quantitative EMG parameters and spectral analysis. Simulated as well as experimental EMG patterns allow the authors to state that in this case a static test of the muscle at one single contraction level has poor diagnostic yield. This work describes the behaviour of the parameters at recruitment. The EMG activity is measured at 20-30-40% of the maximum voluntary contraction. Superiority of the dynamic test is shown. The changes of the parameters from level to level allow clear discrimination of the myopathic from the peripheral neuropathic group. The most significant parameters are shown to be the number of positive maxima and the mean amplitude of the rectified signal.

Langue : ANGLAIS

Identifiant basis : 1985103310