Publication year
2006Source
European Neurology, 55, 4, (2006), pp. 183-8ISSN
Publication type
Article / Letter to editor
Display more detailsDisplay less details
Organization
Neurology
Journal title
European Neurology
Volume
vol. 55
Issue
iss. 4
Page start
p. 183
Page end
p. 8
Subject
DCN 1: Perception and Action; DCN 2: Functional Neurogenomics; NCEBP 10: Human Movement & Fatigue; UMCN 3.1: Neuromuscular development and genetic disordersAbstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS: Little is known about the distribution of electromyographic (EMG) abnormalities in myositis even though this is relevant in daily practice. METHODS: A retrospective semiquantitative analysis of needle EMG findings was performed in a group of 98 patients with myositis. The frequency, type, and distribution of abnormalities were studied. The influence of the use of corticosteroids and the stage of the disease were evaluated. RESULTS: In most patients, a myopathic pattern with spontaneous activity was found, although several clinically relevant exceptions were noted. Long-duration motor unit potentials were found in all three diagnostic groups and were not associated with disease duration. In the lower extremity a distal to proximal gradient was present, adding to the diagnostic confusion with neurogenic diseases, and spontaneous activity was absent in a relatively large group although none of the patients in the acute stage of the disease had a normal EMG. The use of corticosteroids reduced the number of abnormal findings in dermatomyositis and polymyositis, but not in inclusion body myositis. CONCLUSION: A myopathic pattern with spontaneous activity was most frequently found, although several clinically relevant exceptions were noted. These results illustrate the spectrum of EMG findings in myositis, and may aid the clinician in the interpretation of the EMG in these patients.
This item appears in the following Collection(s)
- Academic publications [238430]
- Faculty of Medical Sciences [90359]
Upload full text
Use your RU credentials (u/z-number and password) to log in with SURFconext to upload a file for processing by the repository team.