S-3-08-03
LATE RESPONSES - CLINICAL APPLICATIONS & LIMITATIONS
Tai Ryoon Han (Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea)
Among the variety of late responses, F-wave and H-reflex tests have relatively used popularly, however, there is some doubt for the accuracy of these tests in clinical use.
First, to prove the accuracy of the F-wave in radiculopathies, I measured the latency of F-wave with minimal latency method and averaging latency method in definite L5, S1 radiculopathy patients and the sensitivity was only 29.5% respectively. Also, I measured the F-wave latency in the experimental radiculopathy of rabbit with minimal latency method, mean latency method and averaging latency method and the sensitivity was only 30.7%.
Second, to increase the specificity of the H-reflex test, I found a new place of active electrode in the soleus muscle which could show the initial negative deflection of H-wave. With this new method of H-reflex test, I could use amplitude, area of H-wave as the parameter as well as latency. And I could increase the sensitivity to 85% and the specificity to 100% in H-reflex study.
In conclusion, diagnostic value of F-wave is still disappointing, however, diagnostic value of H-reflex is promising if we improve the recording technique.
S-3-08-04
ELECTROPHYSIOLOGICAL EVALUATION OF NEUROMUSCULAR FUNCTION
Randall L. Braddom, M.D. (Indiana Univ. School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA)
Abstract: The purpose of this presentation is to help the electromyographer evaluate and differentiate the commonly seen types of neuromuscular diseases including anterior horn cell diseases, axonal neuropathies, demyelinating neuropathies, hereditary neuropathies, focal neuropathies, myopathies of all types, and myoneural junction dysfunction. The five steps of EMG and nerve conduction techniques will be discussed in terms of their utility to separate out the various neuromuscular diseases and conditions.
