Axon Count and Sympathetic Skin Responses in Lumbosacral Radiculopathy
نویسندگان
چکیده
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Electrodiagnostic studies can be used to confirm the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathies, but more sensitive diagnostic methods are often needed to measure the ensuing motor neuronal loss and sympathetic failure. METHODS Twenty-six patients with lumbar radiculopathy and 30 controls were investigated using nerve conduction studies, motor unit number estimation (MUNE), testing of the sympathetic skin response (SSR), quantitative electromyography (QEMG), and magnetic resonance myelography (MRM). RESULTS Using QEMG as the gold standard, the sensitivity and specificity of MUNE for the abductor hallucis longus muscle were 71.4% and 70%, respectively. While they were 75% and 68.8%, respectively, when used MRM as gold standard. The sensitivity and specificity of MUNE for the extensor digitorum brevis muscle were 100% and 84.1%, respectively, when the peroneal motor amplitude as the gold standard. The SSR latency was slightly longer in the patients than in the controls. CONCLUSIONS MUNE is a simple and sensitive test for evaluating autonomic function and for diagnosing lumbosacral radiculopathy in patients. MUNE could be used routinely as a guide for the rehabilitation of patients with radiculopathies. SSR measurements may reveal subtle sympathetic abnormalities in patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy.
منابع مشابه
Skin Temperature Changes in Patients With Unilateral Lumbosacral Radiculopathy
OBJECTIVE To clarify the relationship of skin temperature changes to clinical, radiologic, and electrophysiological findings in unilateral lumbosacral radiculopathy and to delineate the possible temperature-change mechanisms involved. METHODS One hundred and one patients who had clinical symptoms and for whom there were physical findings suggestive or indicative of unilateral lumbosacral radi...
متن کاملTwo-Point Discrimination Test in the Treatment of Right-handed Females with Lumbosacral Radiculopathy
Non-somatic causes of pain may aggravate painful complaints and complicate the conservative management of diseases such as lumbo-sacral disk root disease. The two-point discrimination test has been used for assessment of diseases, which change patients' skin sensation. This study aims to find out how applicable is two-point discrimination test in the conservative treatment of lumbo-sacral disk ...
متن کاملModifications of the sympathetic skin response in workers chronically exposed to lead.
The long-term effects of low-level lead intoxication are not known. The sympathetic skin response (SSR) was evaluated in a group of 60 former workers of a primary lead smelter, located in Santo Amaro, BA, Brazil. The individuals participating in the study were submitted to a clinical-epidemiological evaluation including questions related to potential risk factors for intoxication, complaints re...
متن کاملEvaluation of the efficacy of pregabalin on the treatment of patients with lumbosacral radiculopathy referring to Shahid Mofattah Yasuj Special Clinic
Background: Radiculopathy is defined as nerve root involvement and pressured that causes spinal pain. The problems of the lumbar and cervical disk herniation and diffusion pains are the most common problems in society so that 85% of people take low back pain at least once their life. These problems can be caused by herniated disc or spinal canal stenosis in the lumbar and cervical regions. The...
متن کاملThe electrodiagnosis of cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy.
This article reviews the usefulness of the electrodiagnostic examination in patients who have suspected cervical and lumbosacral radiculopathy. This study can verify the presence and severity of radiculopathy, determine which levels are involved, and provide an electrodiagnostic correlate to imaging abnormalities. A practical approach for conducting the nerve conduction portion and needle elect...
متن کامل