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Diagnostic markers of axonal degeneration and demyelination in sensory nerve conduction
Author(s) -
Oh Shin J.,
Hemmi Shoji,
Hatanaka Yuki
Publication year - 2016
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.24950
Subject(s) - degeneration (medical) , sensory system , nerve conduction velocity , sensory nerve , axonal degeneration , medicine , sural nerve , nerve conduction , pathology , compound muscle action potential , neuroscience , median nerve , nerve biopsy , electrophysiology , anatomy , psychology , peripheral neuropathy , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
ABSTRACT Introduction The aim of this study was to formulate diagnostic hallmarks of axonal degeneration and demyelination in sensory nerve conduction studies (NCS). Methods We compared nerve conduction data obtained with surface electrode (SE) NCS and on‐nerve needle (ONN) NCS in 50 cases of demyelination and 22 cases of axonal degeneration as assessed by sural nerve biopsy. Results The overall diagnostic sensitivities of sensory nerve conduction were 26% by SE‐NCS and 69% by ONN‐NCS. The most helpful marker for demyelination was negative‐peak nerve conduction velocity (NP‐NCV), using a 36% decrease from the means in both techniques. Dispersion was also helpful in identifying demyelination. Low amplitude and absence of compound nerve action potential were indicative of general pathology in SE‐NCS but of axonal degeneration in ONN‐NCS. Conclusion Although diagnostic sensitivity is low, NP‐NCV and dispersion can be used for diagnosis of demyelination in sensory NCS. Muscle Nerve 53 : 866–871, 2016