Article

Paediatric electromyography (EMG) is an invaluable diagnostic test for the
investigation of neuromuscular disease, but its use is inconsistent between and
within different countries.
One perception is that the procedure is painful;
however, in comparison with common investigations performed routinely in
children, EMG is better tolerated. While some developments, such as those within
clinical genetics, would appear to mark its demise, paradoxically the more
genetic abnormalities that are discovered in conditions such as hereditary
neuropathy, the more precise a delineation of the phenotype is required. EMG has
particular strengths in the diagnosis of neuropathies, motor neuronopathy and
neuromuscular transmission disorders such as myasthenia. Also, it can supplement
the investigation of myopathies. Areas of development include the diagnosis of myasthenia, delineation of bulbar palsy as a cause of dysphagia, more accurate
and earlier prediction of prognosis in neonatal brachial palsy and investigation
of channelopathies. It is a valuable diagnostic tool in developed countries and
those with limited resources.
CI - (c) The Authors. Journal compilation (c) Mac Keith Press 2010.

Langue : ANGLAIS