Elettromiografia (EMG)

Electromyography (EMG) is a diagnostic method that studies the functional state of excitable tissues (nerves and muscles). EMG evaluates the condition of the muscle, neuromuscular synapse, peripheral nerve, plexus, root, anterior horn of the spinal cord.

With electromyography, muscle contraction is registered with the help of a special device — the myograph. This method of diagnosis allows determining the speed of passage of a nerve impulse along a nerve fiber.

ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG). ADULTS:

Whom is this examination recommended to?

• patients with complaints of cramps, spasms, twitching, or muscle weakness
• patients with impaired urination or defecation
• in dental prosthetics
• patients with acute traumatic lesions of the nervous system (for example, after an accident) or with muscles impaired due to stress
• persons with pain syndrome, sensitivity disorder, weakness in one or more parts of the body
• patients with demyelinating diseases, plexopathy, polyneuropathy

WHAT PROBLEM DOES IT SOLVE?

• allows identifying the lesion of one or a variety of nerves (including with compressive neuropathies)
• reveals the nature, level, and severity of nerve damage
• helps to diagnose the presence of a motor neuron disease
• reveals the presence of a muscle disease (myopathy)
• allows establishing the diagnosis of myasthenia and other neuromuscular diseases

The information obtained with the help of EMG, helps to identify the type of disorders of the peripheral nervous system. Electromyography helps to determine the severity of the disease and choose the right tactics for its treatment. EMG is necessary for monitoring the dynamics of the improvement achieved during treatment.

ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG). PEDIATRICS:

Electromyography (EMG) is one of the most effective and accurate methods for diagnosing a number of diseases of the human nervous system.

EMG is a method that helps to study the bioelectrical activity of muscles and nerves. Information transmitted through a special device (myograph) allows determining the level of damage of the nervous system as a whole and to find out the condition of individual muscle groups.

Electromyography is the only way that can determine the exact place of damage of a particular nerve, give precise information about the cause of paralysis, muscle atrophy or increased nervous sensitivity.

Who is recommended to go through this study?

• children with complaints of cramps, spasms, twitching or muscle weakness
• patients with impaired urination or defecation
• children with cerebral palsy and other motor impairments
• children with pain syndrome, sensitivity disorders, weakness in one or more parts of the body

WHAT PROBLEM DOES IT SOLVE?

• allows identifying the lesion of one or a variety of nerves (including with compressive neuropathies)
• reveals the nature, level, and severity of nerve damage
• helps to diagnose the presence of a motor neuron disease
• reveals the presence of a muscle disease (myopathy)
• allows establishing the diagnosis of myasthenia and other neuromuscular diseases

HOW IS ELECTROMYOGRAPHY (EMG) PERFORMED?

The neurologist makes the plan of examination individually for each patient, depending on the diagnosis.

No special preparation is required for myography. The child has to lay down on the couch, then the myograf electrodes get connected to his/her muscles. Depending on the method of investigation, the electrodes are fixed in two ways: on-skin (when thin plates are placed on the examined muscle) and needle (when a small needle is inserted into the muscle).

The information from the electrodes is converted into a graph and transferred to the myograph, after which it is recorded on a tape, or displayed on a computer and gets printed.

The timing depends on the volume of the study and ranges between 20-60 minutes, depending on the case.

The methods of electromyography, used for children examinations, are safe and painless.