Nerve Conduction Studies In Lower Limb Weakness.

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Nerve conduction studies (NCS) are an essential part of the work-up of peripheral neuropathies. NCS with EMG allows diagnostic classification, understanding and separation of different neuropathies. Symmetrical lower limb weakness of neurological origin often demands EDX study. Neuropathies may be mixed or motor or sensory. Further it may be either axonal or demyelinating. Aims and objectives: To assess nerve conduction studies in symmetrical lower limb weakness patients with peripheral neuropathies. To estimate prevalence of neuropathies in this cohort. Material methods: Forty cases and equal no of controls underwent NCV study. Tibial peroneal motor and sural sensory nerve conductions were done. Data was stored in excel sheet for analysis. Different NCV variables were compared between the groups. Unpaired t’test was used for comparison of variables. Level of significance was kept at p value <0.05. Results: It was observed that DML, CMAP/SNAP amplitude, and CV of study group were significantly different as compared to control group (p value <0.05). Neuropathy was present in 31 (77.5%) cases. 25 (80.65%) cases were axonal and 6 (19.35%) were demyelinating neuropathies. NCV was normal in 9 (22.5%) cases. Conclusion: NCV study proved an essential tool in diagnosis of neuropathies in lower limb weakness cases. Axonal neuropathies were more prevalent as compared to demyelinating one. Mixed neuropathies were more frequent than isolated motor or sensory neuropathies. Presence of conduction block suggests acquired demyelination.