Electrodiagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome

This is a prospective study of 50 patients of suspected neurogneic thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS] who were referred to Armed Forces Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine [AFIRM], Rawalpindi. In this article we have presented our 2 years experience [Jul 1998 to Jun 2000] of clinical evaluation and electrophysiological studies of patients between 14 -75 years of age [mean age 39.72]. Nerve conduction studies [NCS] were performed on MS6 system [MEDELEC] and needle electromyography [NEMG] was performed with NEUROPACK electromyography model MEM -7102 K. Final diagnosis made on electrophysiological studies showed 30 cases of TOS, CTS, ulnar tardy syndorme, ulnar compression at canal of Guyon, C8 radiculopathy and normal study. TOS was twice more common in women. It most commonly affected patients in the 3'd and 4"' decade. Most frequent symptoms were pain, paraesthesia and weakness of hand muscles. Roos test was positive in 92% patients. Electrophysiological studies are very useful to confirm the diagnosis, rule out other entrapment neuropathies and decide the mode of treatment in neurogenic TOS

Electrodiagnostic evaluation of diabetic polyneuropathy

In this prospective study, 47 cases of diabetes mellitus [IDDM and NIDDM] suspected of diabetic neuropathy were studied to delineate the underlying pathology and localize lesion. Nerve conduction studies [NCS] were performed with MS 6 [MEDLEC] using surface electrodes. Concentric needle electromyography was done using Neuropack electromyographic model MEM7102K. On the basis of electrophysiological studies 39 patients had diabetic neuropathy, rest of patients had radiculopathies, thoracic outlet syndrome [TOS] and other abnormalities. Electrodiagnostic studies were helpful in confirming the diagnosis, localizing the entrapment neuropathies and in segregating the axonal/demyelinating neuropathies