Author(s): Garcia,Raphael Ubirajara ; Ricardo,João Adilson Gama ; Horta,Cassiana Abreu ; Garibaldi,Solange Garcia ; Nucci,Anamarli ; França Junior,Marcondes Cavalcante
Date: 2013
Origin: Oasisbr
Subject(s): clinical neurophysiology; ganglionopathy; polyneuropathy; sensory neuronopathy; ulnar nerve
The objective of this study was to evaluate if the ratio of ulnar sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) over compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes (USMAR) would help in the distinction between ganglionopathy (GNP) and polyneuropathy (PNP).MethodsWe reviewed the nerve conductions studies and electromyography (EMG) of 18 GNP patients, 33 diabetic PNP patients and 56 controls. GNP was defined by simultaneous nerve conduction studies (NCS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. PNP was defined by usual clinical and NCS criteria. We used ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey test and ROC curve analysis to compare ulnar SNAP and CMAP, as well as USMAR in the groups.ResultsUlnar CMAP amplitudes were similar between GNP x PNP x Controls (p=0.253), but ulnar SNAP amplitudes (1.6±3.2 x 11.9±9.1 × 45.7±24.7) and USMAR values (0.3±0.3 × 1.5±0.9 × 4.6±2.2) were significantly different. A USMAR threshold of 0.71 was able to differentiate GNP and PNP (94.4% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity).ConclusionsUSMAR is a practical and reliable tool for the differentiation between GNP and PNP.
