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A new technique for recording sensory conduction velocity of the inferior alveolar nerve
Author(s) -
Jääskeläinen Satu K.
Publication year - 1999
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/(sici)1097-4598(199904)22:4<455::aid-mus5>3.0.co;2-a
Subject(s) - orthodromic , inferior alveolar nerve , nerve conduction velocity , medicine , sensory nerve , mental foramen , sensory system , earlobe , anatomy , electrophysiology , electromyography , orthodontics , surgery , radiography , neuroscience , physical medicine and rehabilitation , biology , molar
A new electrophysiological technique for recording the sensory conduction velocity (SNCV) of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) is described. Bilateral orthodromic recordings were done in 21 healthy adults. The sensory responses of the IAN were obtained in all 42 nerves examined with silver wire or monopolar needle electrodes inserted beneath the zygomatic arc in front of the temporomandibular joint to a depth of 4–4.5 cm, near the oval foramen. A small bipolar surface electrode was used for stimulation at the mental foramen. In 3 subjects, the stimuli were additionally delivered via two monopolar needle electrodes to reduce the stimulus artifact. Single responses were usually sufficient for analysis, but, in some cases, averaging was adopted to improve the signal‐to‐noise ratio. Response latencies and amplitudes, SNCVs, and interside differences were measured, and the 97.5% upper and 2.5% lower prediction limits calculated for reference limits in clinical practice. This new technique provides a sensitive and objective diagnostic tool for the examination of IAN injuries, and may also be used for intraoperative monitoring of the IAN during mandibular surgery. © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 22: 455–459, 1999.