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Proximally evoked soleus H‐reflex to S1 nerve root stimulation in sensory neuronopathies (ganglionopathies)
Author(s) -
Zhu DongQing,
Zhu Yu,
Qiao Kai,
Zheng ChaoJun,
Bradley Scott,
Weber Robert,
Chen XiangJun
Publication year - 2013
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.23975
Subject(s) - reflex , h reflex , tibial nerve , medicine , stimulation , anatomy , sensory system , triceps reflex , oculocardiac reflex , soleus muscle , dorsal root ganglion , sensory nerve , anesthesia , withdrawal reflex , neuroscience , dorsum , psychology , skeletal muscle
ABSTRACT Introduction Sensory neuronopathy (SNN) mimics distal sensory axonopathy. The conventional H‐reflex elicited by tibial nerve stimulation (tibial H‐reflex) is usually abnormal in both conditions. We evaluated the proximally evoked soleus H‐reflex in response to S1 nerve root stimulation (S1 foramen H‐reflex) in SNN. Methods Eleven patients with SNN and 6 with distal sensory axonopathy were studied. Tibial and S1 foramen H‐reflexes were performed bilaterally in each patient. Results Tibial and S1 foramen H‐reflexes were absent bilaterally in all patients with SNN. In the patients with distal sensory axonopathy, tibial H‐reflexes were absent in 4 and demonstrated prolonged latencies in 2, but S1 foramen H‐reflexes were normal. Conclusions Characteristic absence of the H‐reflex after both proximal and distal stimulation reflects primary loss of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons and the distinct non–length‐dependent impairment of sensory nerve fibers in SNN. Muscle Nerve 48:814–816, 2013