Quantitative electromyography: Normative data in paraspinal muscles

TY - JOUR

T1 - Quantitative electromyography

T2 - Normative data in paraspinal muscles

AU - Jeppesen, Tina D.

AU - Levison, Lotte

AU - Codeluppi, Luca

AU - Krarup, Christian

PY - 2020/9

Y1 - 2020/9

N2 - Background: Quantitative electromyography of paraspinal muscle is a valuable diagnostic tool, but normative data are lacking. Methods: Needle electromyography (EMG) was obtained in 65 healthy subjects (49% men, 51% women) aged 21 to 82 years at C7, Th10, and L5 segments bilaterally. The incidence of spontaneous activity; motor unit potential (MUP) amplitudes, durations, and the incidence of polyphasic potentials; and the recruitment pattern at maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were evaluated. Results: The incidence of fibrillation potentials was similar to limb muscles. The mean MUP duration and amplitude, and the amplitude at MVC increased caudally, while the incidence of polyphasic potentials was similar at all levels. EMG parameters did not correlate with sex or age. Conclusions: In contrast to limb muscles, EMG parameters did not change with age, while polyphasic potentials were more frequent in paraspinal muscle than in limb muscles. The EMG gradient suggests larger motor units at more caudal segments.

AB - Background: Quantitative electromyography of paraspinal muscle is a valuable diagnostic tool, but normative data are lacking. Methods: Needle electromyography (EMG) was obtained in 65 healthy subjects (49% men, 51% women) aged 21 to 82 years at C7, Th10, and L5 segments bilaterally. The incidence of spontaneous activity; motor unit potential (MUP) amplitudes, durations, and the incidence of polyphasic potentials; and the recruitment pattern at maximal voluntary contraction (MVC) were evaluated. Results: The incidence of fibrillation potentials was similar to limb muscles. The mean MUP duration and amplitude, and the amplitude at MVC increased caudally, while the incidence of polyphasic potentials was similar at all levels. EMG parameters did not correlate with sex or age. Conclusions: In contrast to limb muscles, EMG parameters did not change with age, while polyphasic potentials were more frequent in paraspinal muscle than in limb muscles. The EMG gradient suggests larger motor units at more caudal segments.

KW - anterior horn cell disease

KW - EMG

KW - head drop

KW - myopathy

KW - neuromuscular disorder

KW - normative data

KW - paraspinal muscle

KW - quantitative electromyography

KW - spinal segment

UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85087445687&partnerID=8YFLogxK

U2 - 10.1002/mus.27000

DO - 10.1002/mus.27000

M3 - Journal article

C2 - 32530492

AN - SCOPUS:85087445687

SN - 0148-639X

VL - 62

SP - 358

EP - 362

JO - Muscle and Nerve

JF - Muscle and Nerve

IS - 3

ER -