Nerve and muscle imaging in peripheral neuropathy associated to electroneuromyog

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Rev Med Interne. 2009 Apr 16.

Nerve and muscle imaging in peripheral neuropathy associated to

electroneuromyography: The ideal couple?

Deroide N, Bousson V, Lévy BI, Laredo JD, Kubis N.

Service de physiologie explorations fonctionnelles, hôpital Lariboisière, AP-HP,

université Paris 7 Denis-Diderot, 2, rue Ambroise-Paré, 75010 Paris, France.

Electroneuromyography (ENMG) is the gold standard tool in evaluating peripheral

neuropathies, and it is essential to the diagnosis and the location of the

involvement, as well as the assessment of the severity and the prognosis of the

lesion. However, it has also limitations. It is highly examiner dependant and

because it is unpleasant, the assessment of some nerves and muscles is limited.

The evaluation of proximal nerve and deep muscles is difficult to perform.

Magnetic resonance imaging and echography represent a fast growing field in

demyelinating and motor neuropathy assessment, while these imaging procedures

are now well validated in myopathies. In this article, we discuss sensitivity,

specificity and prognostic data brought up by these new imaging tools compared

to ENMG and the significant future prospects they offer.