Muscle & nerve
-
Neuromuscular disorders, predominantly critical illness myopathy (CIM) and critical illness polyneuropathy (CIP) occur in approximately one-third of patients in intensive care units. The aim of this study was to review the important role of electrophysiology in this setting. ⋯ Knowledge of the various neuromuscular disorders in critically ill patients, their risk factors, and associated electrodiagnostic findings can lead to development of a rational approach to diagnosis of the cause of neuromuscular weakness in ICU patients.
-
Neuromuscular clinicians are often asked to evaluate the diaphragm for diagnostic and prognostic purposes. Traditionally, this evaluation is accomplished through history, physical exam, fluoroscopic sniff test, nerve conduction studies, and electromyography (EMG). ⋯ Neuromuscular ultrasound has emerged as a non-invasive technique that can be used in the structural and functional assessment of the diaphragm. In this study we review different techniques for assessing the diaphragm using neuromuscular ultrasound and the application of these techniques to enhance diagnosis and prognosis by neuromuscular clinicians.
-
Objective diagnosis of small fiber impairment is difficult. ⋯ Both axon-reflex tests are helpful to identify objectively patients with small fiber impairment. Afferent and efferent C-fiber classes can be impaired differently. These tests detect small fiber impairment, but they cannot differentiate between painful and nonpainful neuropathy.
-
Median nerve ultrasound shows increased cross-sectional area (CSA) in carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) and diabetic peripheral neuropathy (PN). The role of ultrasound in diagnosing CTS superimposed on diabetic PN is unknown. The objective of this study is to evaluate ultrasound for diagnosis of CTS in diabetic PN. ⋯ In this pilot study, NCS may be superior to ultrasound for identification of superimposed CTS in diabetic PN patients, but larger numbers are needed for confirmation.
-
Diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN) is increasingly prevalent in the USA, but nerve ultrasound (US) findings have not been assessed systematically. Our aim was to establish the sonographic characteristics of lower extremity nerves in DPN and correlate them with electrodiagnostic (EDx) findings. ⋯ US measurements of lower extremity nerves in DPN do not differ from controls or correlate with EDx findings. Novel US techniques and/or pedal nerve US may be necessary to detect differences.