Assessment of Stimulated Single-Fiber Electromyography in Paralytic Muscles of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury

Authors

Chein-Wei Chang
I-Nan Lien

Translated Title

脊髓損傷病人麻痺肢之刺激單纖維肌電圖檢查

Abstract

Neuronal dropout accompanied with axonal degeneration may occur below the level of cord lesion after spinal cord injury (SCI). By using a sensitive electrodiagnostic method of stimulated single fiber electromyography (SFEMG), it is possible to assess the functional integrity of neuromuscular transmission in paralytic muscles of SCI. Neuromuscular jitter and fiber density were measured in 21 anterior tibial muscles of 18 patients with SCI and 11 muscles in 11 normal controls. The results showed an increased mean jitter value but without increased fiber density in SCI patients. There is a positive correlation between the increased jitter and the disease duration from the onset of cord lesion to the time of SFHMG test. This provides an electrophysiological evidence of axonal degeneration and dysfunction of neuromuscular transmission below the level of cord lesion in SCI. Also the neural degeneration may become prominent in the later course of the disease.

Language

English

DOI Link

https://doi.org/10.6315/JRMA.199312.00056

First Page

1

Last Page

6

Recommended Citation

Chang, Chein-Wei and Lien, I-Nan (1993) "Assessment of Stimulated Single-Fiber Electromyography in Paralytic Muscles of Patients with Spinal Cord Injury," Rehabilitation Practice and Science: Vol. 21: Iss. 1, Article 5.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.6315/JRMA.199312.00056
Available at: https://rps.researchcommons.org/journal/vol21/iss1/5