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Recording sensory nerve action potential using different electrode types. Muscle Nerve 2023 Aug;68(2):210-214

Date

06/10/2023

Pubmed ID

37300406

DOI

10.1002/mus.27916

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-85161671142 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION/AIMS: Switching between different types of electrodes during motor and sensory nerve conduction studies adds time to a study. We investigated the use of disposable disc electrodes (DDE) used for motor nerve conduction studies to record the antidromic sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) in median, ulnar and radial sensory nerve conduction studies.

METHODS: The SNAP was recorded using four different electrode types: reusable ring, reusable bar, disposable ring, and DDE in a random rotating order. Studies were performed in healthy subjects. Other than being an adult with no history of neuromuscular disease, there were no exclusion criteria.

RESULTS: We studied 20 subjects (11 females, 9 males; age 41.1 ± 15.7 y). The SNAP waveforms recorded by all four electrode types were similar. There was no statistically significant difference in the onset latency, peak latency (PL), negative peak amplitude (NPA), peak to peak amplitude, or conduction velocity. In individual nerve recordings, the absolute PL difference between reusable ring electrodes (our current standard) and DDE was less than 0.2 ms in 58 of 60 (97%) nerves. The mean absolute NPA difference was 3.1 μV (standard deviation = 2.85 μV). Recordings with NPA difference >5 μV also had high NPA and/or had large artifacts.

DISCUSSION: DDE may be used for performing motor and sensory nerve conduction studies. This can reduce the time required for electrodiagnostic testing.

Author List

Nandedkar SD, Barkhaus PE

Author

Paul E. Barkhaus MD Professor in the Neurology department at Medical College of Wisconsin




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

Action Potentials
Adult
Electrodes
Evoked Potentials
Female
Humans
Male
Median Nerve
Middle Aged
Neural Conduction
Reaction Time
Ulnar Nerve