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Clinical and electromyographic studies of postpoliomyelitis muscular atrophy
Author(s) -
Ravits John,
Hallett Mark,
Baker Michael,
Nilsson Jan,
Dalakas Marinos
Publication year - 1990
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.880130802
Subject(s) - reinnervation , denervation , motor unit , atrophy , electromyography , progressive muscular atrophy , medicine , spinal muscular atrophy , weakness , poliomyelitis , amyotrophy , myopathy , anatomy , physical medicine and rehabilitation , pathology , amyotrophic lateral sclerosis , disease
Eleven patients with progressive weakness following polio (postpoliomyelitis muscular atrophy syndrome) were compared electromyographically with nine patients who had stable strength following polio. Abnormalities included (1) abnormal motor unit characteristics in many muscles indicating widespread loss of motor neurons and reinnervation in muscles, including many not clinically affected by the polio; (2) prevalent spontaneous denervation potentials; and (3) abnormalsingle‐fiber electromyographic jitter. These electromyographic abnormalities were similar in progressive and stable postpoliomyelitis patients even when muscles were separated by strength, stability, age and duration of the postpoliomyelitis state. Postpoliomyelitis muscular atrophy appears to be the clinically apparent end of the spectrum of abnormalities existing in all postpoliomyelitis patients.