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Quantitation in EMG

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

K. Ming Chan
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
William F. Brown*
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology, New England Medical Center, Boston, Massachusetts
*
Department of Neurology, New England Medical Center, #314, 750 Washington Street, Boston, Massachusetts U.S.A. 02111
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Abstract

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The neuromuscular system may be affected by disorders of the central nervous system as well as other disorders affecting motoneurons, axons, neuromuscular transmission, the sarcolemmal membrane, the contractile elements and other components of the muscle fibers themselves. One or a combination of these possibilities can present in patients in the critical care unit. This paper reviews various qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the various components of the peripheral contributions to the electrical and force output as well as the central motor drive to motoneurons. These methods all have their own strengths and weaknesses but many are complementary and together, can provide important diagnostic and prognostic information to guide management.

Type
Research Article
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1998

References

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