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Anal sphincter EMG does not distinguish between multiple system atrophy and Parkinson's disease
Author(s) -
Giladi Nir,
Simon Ely S.,
Korczyn Amos D.,
Groozman Galina B.,
Orlov Yivgeny,
Shabtai Herzel,
Drory Vivian E.
Publication year - 2000
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(200005)23:5<731::aid-mus10>3.0.co;2-#
Subject(s) - parkinson's disease , atrophy , medicine , anal sphincter , degenerative disease , physical medicine and rehabilitation , external anal sphincter , electromyography , central nervous system disease , disease , pathology , surgery , anal canal , rectum
Clinical distinction of multiple system atrophy (MSA) from Parkinson's disease (PD) is often difficult. Several recent reports indicate that objective classification may be accomplished using electromyographic (EMG) testing of the anal or urethral sphincters, but some authors have found that these tests are not reliable for this purpose. We studied 13 patients with PD and 10 with probable MSA, as diagnosed by consensus of four movement disorders specialists, according to accepted clinical criteria. Anal sphincter EMG was performed blind to the clinical diagnosis. We found no significant differences in the mean duration of motor unit potentials (MUPs), mean MUP amplitude, or prevalence of polyphasic potentials, satellite potentials, very long duration MUPs, or spontaneous activity between the two groups. Thus, anal sphincter EMG does not differentiate between PD and MSA. © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Muscle Nerve 23: 731–734, 2000