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Sphincter electromyography in diagnosis of multiple system atrophy: technical issues
Author(s) -
Podnar Simon,
Fowler Clare J.
Publication year - 2004
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/mus.10478
Subject(s) - electromyography , atrophy , motor unit , medicine , sphincter , physical medicine and rehabilitation , surgery , anatomy
Possible technical reasons for the controversy over the role of sphincter electromyography (EMG) in the diagnosis of multiple system atrophy (MSA) were analyzed. In a review of the literature, a high sensitivity (>60%) was found reported in 11 studies that included late components, and no value of the test was found in 4 studies that excluded them. This was also corroborated in a pilot study of 5 patients with probable MSA. With late components included, the mean motor unit potential (MUP) duration was prolonged in all 4 patients with an adequate single‐MUP analysis sample and, with late components excluded, in 2 of 5 patients on multi‐MUP analysis. At least in diagnostic EMG of MSA patients, late components should be included in the measurement of MUP duration. Muscle Nerve 2003