On-nerve needle nerve conduction study in the sural nerve: A new technique for evaluation of peripheral neuropathy

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Abstract

Objective: The objective of this study was to compare the nerve conduction study (NCS) data by the surface electrode (SE)-NCS versus the on-nerve needle (ONN)-NCS and to assess their clinical usefulness in the diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. Methods: Sensory compound nerve action potentials (CNAPs) were obtained by the ONN-NCS with needle electrodes placed on the exposed sural nerve during biopsy in 94 patients with peripheral neuropathy. Results: The ONN-NCS is possible in 95% of cases. The ONN-NCS was able to record sensory CNAP in 15% of cases when it was unobtainable in the SE-NCS. The ONN-NCS showed higher amplitude and longer duration of the CNAP but a slower maximum nerve conduction velocity (NCV) than the SE-NCS. The ONN-NCS showed a significantly better concordance with the nerve biopsy findings, especially in demyelinating neuropathy. Conclusion: The ONN-NCS is a better electrophysiological test for the histopathological correlation with nerve biopsy. Significance: The ONN-NCS was able to record sensory CNAP in 15% of cases when it was unobtainable in the SE-NCS.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1811-1816
Number of pages6
JournalClinical Neurophysiology
Volume126
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - 1 Sep 2015

Keywords

  • Electrophysiological test
  • Nerve conduction test
  • On-nerve needle nerve conduction
  • Peripheral neuropathy
  • Sensory nerve conduction

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