Diaphragm Motor Responses to phrenic nerve stimulation in ALS: Surface and Needle Recordings

Publication date: Available online 13 December 2017
Source:Clinical Neurophysiology
Author(s): Mamede de Carvalho, Susana Pinto, Michael Swash
ObjectiveIn studies of phrenic nerve (PN) conduction in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) both motor response amplitude and latency have been reported as abnormal. However, correlation with diaphragm motor unit loss, and with diaphragmatic function has not been fully evaluated.MethodsWe studied 83 patients with ALS, and 21 patients referred with clinically suspected phrenic nerve lesions whose studies were normal. PN responses elicited by percutaneous electrical stimulation in the neck were recorded using superficial electrodes placed at the surface markings of the diaphragm on the chest wall, and a concentric needle electrode inserted into the diaphragmatic costal fibres. Electromyography of diaphragm was performed to analyse motor unit morphology and recruitment.ResultsThe 21 controls and 83 ALS patients were matched for age. In controls, the only significant correlation between surface and needle recording was for negative-peak amplitude (p=0.03). In ALS patients, amplitudes and negative-peak area were highly correlated (p<0.001), as were PN motor latencies (p=0.002). Forced vital capacity (FVC) was highly correlated with both amplitude (p<0.001) and PN latency (p<0.02), whichever electrode was used. PN amplitude recording with needle electrode was consistent with EMG findings in the diaphragm.ConclusionIn ALS, PN motor amplitude/area and latency measurements recorded by surface electrodes are highly correlated with needle EMG findings in the diaphragm. CMAP amplitude/area measurements showed high correlation with FVC.SignificanceIn ALS, amplitude/area of the motor PN response, recorded by surface or needleelectrodes, correlates with dysfunction of the diaphragm.



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