Faculty Collaboration Database

Deep brain stimulator artifact in needle electromyography: effects and distribution in paraspinal and upper limb muscle. Muscle Nerve 2013 Apr;47(4):561-5

Date

03/07/2013

Pubmed ID

23463685

DOI

10.1002/mus.23636

Scopus ID

2-s2.0-84875634905 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site)   4 Citations

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Deep brain stimulators (DBS) have become a more widespread treatment option for individuals with centrally mediated movement disorders. Such devices are expected to create artifact in standard needle electromyographic (EMG) recordings.

METHODS: Five subjects with DBS were studied with standard concentric needle electrode EMG in paraspinal and upper limb muscles.

RESULTS: All subjects showed EMG artifact directly related to, and corresponding with, the DBS unit settings. The artifact was very prominent in all paraspinal muscles, although the amplitude was less in lumbar compared with cervical levels. With a large ground electrode next to the insertion site, the artifact was sufficiently small to allow standard EMG examination of upper limb muscles.

CONCLUSIONS: The DBS artifact is so prominent in paraspinal muscles that it will not allow standard EMG examination for diagnostic purposes such as radiculopathy. The artifact itself can easily be distinguished from pathological insertional and spontaneous activity.

Author List

Nandedkar SD, Sheridan C, Bertoni S, Hiner BC, 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

Adult
Arm
Artifacts
Deep Brain Stimulation
Electrodiagnosis
Electromyography
Female
Humans
Lumbosacral Region
Male
Middle Aged
Muscle, Skeletal