EMG, or electromyography test, is a method used in the diagnosis and treatment of many diseases. There are many tests performed under the name EMG for neurophysiological examinations. EMG is basically a test that examines the nervous and muscular system. There are many tests that examine the central nervous system, such as nerve conduction studies, examination of muscles with needle EMG, reflex studies, and SEP.
There are two basic tests in classical EMG. Nerve conduction studies and needle EMG examination of muscles. Nerve conduction studies are performed with small electrical currents. Contrary to popular belief, it is a painless test in experienced hands. It is mostly applied when nerve compression and diseases affecting the nerves are suspected. Polyneuropathies and nerve compression in the wrist (carpal tunnel syndrome) are the diseases in which it is most commonly used. It is also helpful in the differential diagnosis of muscle and nerve diseases in some cases.
Needle EMG is mostly used in the diagnosis of leg and arm pain due to muscle diseases or lumbar disc herniation. It is performed to understand how much the nerve roots are compressed in lumbar and neck herniations and whether the nerves are damaged. EMG results may be important in deciding on surgical treatment for hernias. When there is weakness in the arm and leg muscles of unknown cause, the test to be used is EMG. It is a definitive diagnosis as to whether the weakness is caused by the muscle itself or by a disorder in the nerve of the muscle. It is an absolutely necessary test to diagnose congenital nerve and muscle diseases in children. It is also essential in the diagnosis of ALS and spinal muscular atrophies (SMA), which involve the central nervous system. Although child or baby EMG recording is basically the same as for adults, it requires experience. In addition, SEP and VEP, which examine the central nervous system (brain, spinal cord) and are also performed with an EMG device; There are also tests such as BAEP.
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