Technologically sophisticated devices in neurology- Electromyography (EMG)

An erroneous diagnosis can often lead to worsening the conditions that the patients suffer from. In addition to the training and experience of physicians, high performance and precision equipment is essential in establishing a correct diagnosis.
Because we want to provide our patients with the best services at Neuroaxis, we only use the latest generation of devices, such as Nicolet Viking EDX Electromyographer produced by the American company Natus. With this device, our specialists, Dr. Oana Morari and Dr. Ionela Codiță can accurately investigate any peripheral neuropathy, a widespread disorder among the population.

”Performing and interpreting an electromyography requires additional special skills and special attention in interpreting the results. For this reason, the over-specialised doctor needs to make good team with technology if they want to help their patients. I appreciate that at Neuroaxis we have a team who understood the importance of the two variables, which bring good results to patients – the specialist and the equipment ”, said Dr. Oana Morari, a neurologist with competence in electromyography (EMG).

What investigations do we perform with the EMG Electromyographer?

• VCS / VCM electroneurography (ENG) – without needle. These are abbreviations from Nerve, Motor (VCM) and Sensitive (VCS) speeds, respectively. In most cases, only nerve conduction velocities with surface electrodes are investigated. They evaluate the speed and efficacy with which the nerves send signals to the muscles or take the information from the skin and allow us to move and feel.
• Needle Electromyography (EMG) is an additional muscle test to see whether muscle activity is normal or abnormal and is usually performed after completing nerve conduction examination.
• Electromyography with repetitive electrical stimulation is used in the diagnosis of neuromuscular junction disorders (myasthenia gravis, Lambert-Eaton syndrome, botulism). It is also an electrical study in which stimuli are applied to the nerve tract and the motor response is collected with surface electrodes mounted on the muscle which is studied, but the stimuli are repeated and have a supermaximal intensity.
• Electromyography Tremor Analysis. Because tremor is a rhythmic, involuntary, and oscillatory motion of a part of the body that can be manifested singularly or in association with other signs, the measurement of its frequency is very important. In this way, it may or may not support a correct diagnosis of the patient with this clinical picture, for example in Parkinson’s disease.
• Electromyography with vegetative tests. The autonomic (vegetative) nervous system is a complex central and peripheral neural network that controls heart rate, respiration, salivation, sweating, hormonal secretion, micturition, defecation, sexual function etc. The electromyography for the vegetative system may become necessary in pathologies of the autonomic system such as: polyneuropathies with important vegetative component (the paraneoplastic syndrome, diabetic, small fiber polyneuropathy, some genetic polyneuropathies), unexplained syncopes, primary autonomic failure or differentiated diagnosis in case of multisystemic atrophy and Parkinson’s disease.

The purpose of these tests is firstly to determine whether there is an autonomic dysfunction and secondly to quantify its severity.
For more details and information please visit the service and tariff page at www.neuroaxis.ro

Last Updated on March 9, 2020