How to get the most out of nerve conduction studies and electromyography.

Correspondence to: Dr Geraint Fuller, Department of Neurology, Gloucester Royal Hospital, Great Western Road, Gloucester GL1 3NN, UK; [email protected]. co.uk _________________________ W hy should we think hard when requesting nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG)? Aside from the reasons that should determine our use of all investigations there are two particular issues that relate to these tests: c NCS/EMG is at best uncomfortable, at worst painful, for the patient—despite the neurophysiologist’s best efforts c NCS/EMG are expensive, although this cost is borne by the health care system. They take 30–60 minutes of a neurophysiologist’s time, a scarce and expensive resource.