Article

OBJECTIVE: To determine the incremental ability of different needle
electromyography diagnostic criteria to detect lumbar radiculopathy. DESIGN:
Blinded cross-sectional study. SETTING: University hospital. PARTICIPANTS:
Subjects aged 55 to 80 years with radiating low back pain (n=48; mean age +/- SD,
67.9+/-7.3y) and who were asymptomatic (n=30; mean age +/- SD, 65.4+/-8y).
INTERVENTIONS: Electrodiagnostic evaluation by a blinded electromyographer.
A monopolar needle was used to evaluate 5 leg muscles and the lumbar paraspinal
muscles. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Presence or absence of radiculopathy using
different electrodiagnostic criteria. RESULTS: When only positive sharp waves or
fibrillations were considered, and at least 2 muscles innervated by the same root
level and different peripheral nerves were counted as abnormal, 27.1% (13/48) of
participants had positive results for radiculopathy. When at least 30% motor unit
action potential changes in the limb muscles were also considered, participants
with positive results increased to 45.8% (22/48), which was significant when
compared with the first criterion (P=.002). When the mini-paraspinal mapping
(MiniPM) test as well as at least a 30% motor unit cutoff was used, participants
with positive results increased to 50% (24/48), which was significant when
compared with the first criterion (P=.001). CONCLUSIONS: In addition to the
presence of positive sharp waves or fibrillations, considering greater than or
equal to 30% motor unit action unit potential changes as well as the MiniPM score
maintains good specificity and improves the ability of the needle
electromyography study to detect lumbar radiculopathy in subjects with radiating
low back pain.
CI - Copyright (c) 2012 American Congress of Rehabilitation Medicine. Published by
Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Langue : ANGLAIS