Faculty Collaboration Database

Identification of cervical radiculopathies: optimizing the electromyographic screen. Am J Phys Med Rehabil 2001 Feb;80(2):84-91

Date

02/24/2001

Pubmed ID

11212017

DOI

10.1097/00002060-200102000-00002

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-0035144214 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   54 Citations

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: To determine the optimal electromyography screening examination of the upper limb that ensures detection of those cervical radiculopathies, which can be electrodiagnostically confirmed, yet minimizes the number of muscles studied.

DESIGN: A prospective multicenter study was conducted from May 1996 to September 1997 at five institutions. Patients who were referred to participating electrodiagnostic laboratories with suspected cervical radiculopathy were recruited. A standard set of muscles were examined by needle electromyography. Patients with electrodiagnostically confirmed cervical radiculopathies, based on electromyography findings, were selected for analysis. Muscle screens were tested against this group to determine whether the screen identified the patients with radiculopathy.

RESULTS: There were 101 patients with cervical radiculopathies representing all cervical root levels. When paraspinal muscles were one of the screening muscles, five muscle screens identified 90% to 98% of radiculopathies, six muscle screens identified 94% to 99%, and seven muscle screens identified 96% to 100%. When paraspinal muscles were not part of the screen, eight distal limb muscles recognized 92% to 95% of radiculopathies.

CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that six muscle screens including paraspinal muscles yielded consistently high identification rates. Studying additional muscles led to marginal increases in identification.

Author List

Dillingham TR, Lauder TD, Andary M, Kumar S, Pezzin LE, Stephens RT, Shannon S

Author

Liliana Pezzin PhD, JD Professor in the Institute for Health and Equity department at Medical College of Wisconsin

MESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold

Adolescent
Adult
Aged
Aged, 80 and over
Electromyography
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle, Skeletal
Prospective Studies
Radiculopathy