Premium
Utility of neuromuscular ultrasound in the investigation of common mononeuropathies in everyday neurophysiology practice
Author(s) -
Pelosi Luciana,
Leadbetter Ruth,
Mulroy Eoin
Publication year - 2021
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.27124
Subject(s) - mononeuropathy , medicine , clinical neurophysiology , electromyography , neurophysiology , medical diagnosis , clinical practice , physical medicine and rehabilitation , physical therapy , peripheral neuropathy , pathology , psychiatry , electroencephalography , endocrinology , diabetes mellitus
In everyday clinical neurophysiology practice, mononeuropathies are evaluated primarily by traditional electrodiagnostic testing. We sought to assess the additional benefit of neuromuscular ultrasound (US) in this scenario. Methods All consecutive mononeuropathies undergoing combined US and electrodiagnostic evaluation over a 23‐mo period at a single neurophysiology practice were reviewed. Three independent examiners assessed how often US was: (a) “contributory” ‐ enabling a definite diagnosis not made by electrophysiology alone and/or impacting on the therapeutic decision, (b) “confirmatory” of the electrodiagnostic findings, but not adding further diagnostic or therapeutic information, or (c) “negative” ‐ missed the diagnosis. Results There were 385 studies included. US was “contributory” in 36%, “confirmatory” in 61% and “negative” in 3%. Discussion In this study of everyday neurophysiology practice, neuromuscular US contributed significant diagnostic or therapeutic information in over 1/3 of the investigations for common mononeuropathies. False negative US studies were uncommon in this setting.