Ann Clin Neurophysiol.  2019 Jan;21(1):7-15. 10.14253/acn.2019.21.1.7.

Basic concepts of needle electromyography

• Kim JE
• Seok JM
• Ahn SW
• Yoon BN
• Lim YM
• Kim KK
• Kwon KH
• Park KD
• Suh BC
• and on behalf of the Korean Society of Clinical Neurophysiology Education Committee

• KMID: 2434182
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.14253/acn.2019.21.1.7

Abstract

Clinical evaluations, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography play major complementary roles in electrophysiologic diagnoses. Electromyography can be used to assess pathologic changes and localize lesions occurring in locations ranging from motor units to anterior-horn cells. Successfully performing electromyography requires knowledge of the anatomy, physiology, and pathology of the peripheral nervous system as well as sufficient skill and interpretation ability. Electromyography techniques include acquiring data from visual/auditory signals and performing needle positioning, semiquantitation, and interpretation. Here we introduce the basic concepts of electromyography to guide clinicians in performing electromyography appropriately.

Keyword

Electromyography; Electrodiagnosis; Needles; Neuromuscular diseases

MeSH Terms

Diagnosis
Electrodiagnosis
Electromyography*
Needles*
Neural Conduction
Neuromuscular Diseases
Pathology
Peripheral Nervous System
Physiology

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1. Types and recording area of electromyography needles. (A) A concentric needle and its recording field (side view). A wire that acts as the active electrode runs through the center of the needle shaft (white), and the shaft acts as the reference electrode. (B) A monopolar needle and its recording field (side view). The needle tip without a Teflon coating acts as the active electrode, and an additional reference electrode needs to be attached to nearby skin.

• 

  Fig. 2. Parameters for the morphology evaluation of motor-unit action potentials.

Reference

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