Paediatric electromyography in the modern world: a personal view

[Guest guest]

Dev Med Child Neurol. 2011 Feb;53(2):120-4. doi:

10.1111/j.1469-8749.2010.03831.x. Epub 2010 Nov 18.

Paediatric electromyography in the modern world: a personal view.

Pitt M.

Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Great Ormond Street Hospital for

Children NHS Trust, London, UK.

Abstract

Paediatric electromyography (EMG) is an invaluable diagnostic test for the

investigation of neuromuscular disease, but its use is inconsistent between and

within different countries. One perception is that the procedure is painful;

however, in comparison with common investigations performed routinely in

children, EMG is better tolerated.

While some developments, such as those within clinical genetics, would appear to

mark its demise, paradoxically the more genetic abnormalities that are

discovered in conditions such as hereditary neuropathy, the more precise a

delineation of the phenotype is required.

EMG has particular strengths in the diagnosis of neuropathies, motor

neuronopathy and neuromuscular transmission disorders such as myasthenia. Also,

it can supplement the investigation of myopathies.

Areas of development include the diagnosis of myasthenia, delineation of bulbar

palsy as a cause of dysphagia, more accurate and earlier prediction of prognosis

in neonatal brachial palsy and investigation of channelopathies. It is a

valuable diagnostic tool in developed countries and those with limited

resources.