• Clinical Pain
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.44-47
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• 2019

Lying on the side while falling asleep deeply after drinking or taking a sleeping pill can cause compressive neuropathy. We report a 70-year-old male patient of medial cord of left brachial plexus injury (BPI) after deep sleep. The mechanism of the injury might be compression and stretching of brachial plexus. The electrodiagnostic study was performed and the medial cord lesion of BPI was suggested. The ultrasonography image of compression site revealed the nerve swelling of medial cord of brachial plexus and median nerve at the mid-arm level. Pharmacologic treatment including oral prednisolone and exercise training were prescribed. On 6 months after initial visit, neurologic symptom and pain were improved but mild sequelae was remained.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.66-70
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• 2018

Electrodiagnostic studies such as nerve conduction studies (NCS) and needle electromyography (EMG) provide important and complementary information for evaluating patients with suspected neuromuscular disorders. NCS and needle EMG are reasonably safe diagnostic investigations and are generally associated with only mild transient discomfort when performed by experienced physicians. However, there is the risk of complications in some patients, because NCS involve the administration of electric current and EMG involves inserting a needle percutaneously into muscle tissue. This article reviews the potential risks of NCS and needle EMG.

• The Journal of Korean Orthopaedic Ultrasound Society
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.99-106
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• 2009

Compressive neuropathy in the upper extremity can be clinically diagnosed by careful history taking, physical examination of the involved nerve. Electrodiagnosis for the suspected nerve informs severity of compression of the involved nerve and indicates specific site of the lesion. In the early stage of the disease, non-operative treatment generally cures the symptom, however, if the conservative treatment fails, confirmation of the exact site of the lesion should be preceded before the operation. Recently, ultrasonography, as a supportive tool for the diagnosis of compressive neuropathy has increasing popularity for its ability to find space occupying lesion, anatomical change of the nerve, and the pathologic change in the nerve itself. For the successful treatment of the compressive neuropathy, these various diagnostic tools have to be introduced in the orthopaedic clinic.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.199-204
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• 2009

Objective : This study was done to evaluate the correlation between carpal tunnel pressure (CTP), electrodiagnostic and ultrasonographic findings in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS). Methods : CTP was measured during endoscopic carpal tunnel release (ECTR) for CTS using Spiegelberg ICP monitoring device with parenchymal type catheter. Neurophysiologic severity and nerve cross sectional area were evaluated using nerve conductive study and ultrasonography (USG) before ECTR in all patients. Results : Tests were performed in a total of 48 wrists in 39 patients (9 cases bilateral). Maximum CTP was $56.7{\pm}19.3$ mmHg ($Mean{\pm}SD$) and $7.4{\pm}3.3$ mmHg before and after ECTR, respectively. No correlation was found between maximum CTP and either neurophysiologic severity or nerve cross sectional area, whereas we found a significant correlation between the latter two parameters. Conclusion : CTP was not correlated with neurophysiologic severity and nerve cross sectional area. Dynamic, rather than static, pressure in carpal tunnel might account for the basic pathophysiology of CTS better.

• Annals of Clinical Neurophysiology
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.7-15
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• 2019

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.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.124-129
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• 2018

Neuralgic amyotrophy (NA) is an idiopathic disease characterized by muscular atrophy accompanied by neuralgia, where acute pain in the limb, mostly including the shoulders, leads to muscle weakeness and atrophy in the limb days to weeks after the onset of pain. Although its exact pathogenesis is unknown, genetic and nongenetic factors, such as infection, surgery, and trauma are suspected contributors. We report this case as we diagnosed NA of the right lower limb via enhanced MRI as well as EMG and have followed up the patient's prognosis and radiologic changes for one and a half years. In addition, the patient had been diagnosed with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as major depressive disorder and somatic symptom disorder.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.130-134
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• 2018

A 36-year-old male patient developed diffuse low back pain. His past medical history was unremarkable and had no family history of neuromuscular disease. He had no bladder and bowel problems. Creatine kinase was 172 U/L (normal < 170). Other fluid and blood chemistry tests were normal. Manual muscle test grades of extremities and sensory examination were normal. Muscle stretch reflexes were normal. Fasciculations and myotonia were not detected. Straight leg raising test was negative. There was no spinal root compression, spinal stenosis, or signal intensity change of spinal cord on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Fatty change and atrophy of the cervical, thoracic and lumbar paraspinal muscles were noted on MRI. Nerve conduction studies were normal. Electromyography showed 1+ positive sharp waves in the lumbar paraspinal muscles. Electromyography of upper and lower extremity muscles revealed no abnormal spontaneous activity. We report a rare case of severe paraspinal muscle atrophy with fatty degeneration in a Young Adult.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.139-143
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• 2018

Rhabdomyolysis is a syndrome caused by injury to skeletal muscles and involves leakage of large quantities of potentially toxic intracellular contents into the plasma. It is known that rhabdomyolysis results in peripheral nerve injury, however, reports of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis are rare. We report a case involving a 42-year-old female patient with no past medical history, who presented with sudden bilateral calf pain, redness, and burning sensation with weakness of both lower extremities after sleeping on an electric heating pad following alcohol drinking. Lower extremity magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) revealed multifocal edema with enhancement of bilateral lower extremity muscles. Clinical and electrodiagnostic tests were consistent with the diagnosis of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis. This is a rare case of bilateral sciatic neuropathy following rhabdomyolysis.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.112-118
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• 2018

We describe a case of a 71-year-old male patient who experienced progressive bilateral proximal upper limb weakness and atrophy without sensory symptoms and signs over 5 years. Electromyography demonstrated denervation potentials and neuropathic motor unit action potentials on C5-C7 myotome muscles bilaterally. Cervical spine magnetic resonance imaging revealed engorged anterior epidural venous plexus, T2 hyperintensity localized to grey matter ("snake-eye" appearance) at C2-C6 vertebral level, and ventral epidural fluid collection from C6 to T8 vertebral level. This case indicates that bibrachial amyotrophy associated with epidural fluid leak should be suspected in patients presenting with progressive bilateral upper limb weakness and atrophy without sensory involvement.

• Journal of Electrodiagnosis and Neuromuscular Diseases
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.119-123
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• 2018

A 14-year-old student presented with a 2-year history of progressive left foot deformity. High elevated medial arch, hindfoot varus deformity and second to fourth claw toes were idenfied in the left foot without a familial history. Neurologic examinations showed left distal lower extremity weakness and bilateral increased deep tendon reflexes. MRI of whole spine demonstrated thickened filum terminale and spinal defect covered with pulled skin which findings consistent with tethered cord syndrome (TCS). He was referred to neurosurgery department and had a detethering operation of the spinal cord. Two years later, he underwent foot surgery because his foot deformity progressed despite the detethering operation. It is very rare for TCS to present with pes cavus as the only symptom, also in Korea. We suggest that TCS should be considered as one of the differential diagnoses associated with unilateral pes cavus in adolescence so as not to miss the proper period of surgery.