Electroneuromyography (ENMG), or more commonly known as Electromyography (EMG), is a compound word consisting of the words electro (electrical), neuro (nerve), myo (muscle) and graphy (writing) and means to print the electrical signals of nerves and muscles. .
What is EMG?
EMG to diagnose diseases affecting peripheral nerves, to confirm the diagnosis, to determine the severity of dysfunctions or structural damage in peripheral nerves, to monitor the disease process and to evaluate the effect of the treatment applied. It is a method of investigation used for In an EMG examination, different tests can be applied to the patient. The most applied tests are "nerve conduction studies" and "needle electromyography" tests.
In Which Situations Is EMG Performed?
- Polyneuropathies: Diabetes, B12 deficiency or diseases that cause widespread damage to peripheral nerves, such as kidney failure.
- Focal neuropathies: Diseases that usually cause damage to a single nerve, especially entrapment neuropathies (eg Carpal, Cubital, Tarsal Tunnel syndromes).
- Radiculopathies: Diseases that cause damage to the nerve roots coming out of the spinal cord, such as herniated disc or neck hernia.
- Myopathies: Diseases that cause damage to muscle fibers.
- Motor Neuron diseases: Polio or ALS Diseases that cause damage to the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord, such as. Should you?
Since the EMG examination is a sensitive examination that requires a long time, except for emergencies, a suitable time is usually determined for the patient and the physician and it is done by making an appointment. EMG examination is usually a process that takes between half an hour and 1 hour. However, due to the fact that the examination requires more procedures than planned, the patient's limitation of movement or lack of cooperation, the neurophysiologist may conclude the examination in a longer time than he planned.
In such cases, you may have to wait about half an hour longer than the appointment time given to you, as the previous patient's procedures may take longer than expected. Considering that the examination to be made may take 1 to 1.5 hours, It will be useful to come by planning that you can spend 1.5 to 2 hours. Removing jewelery such as rings, bracelets and watches before the examination will allow the examination to be carried out comfortably. The electrical conductivity of your skin is important in the procedures to be performed. The layers of dirt and oil on your skin can cause difficulties in transmitting these signals and may lead to unnecessary prolongation of the examination time. For this reason, if you have time before these examinations and if your condition is suitable, it would be appropriate to take a bath and not apply substances such as creams or lotions on your skin after bathing. For this reason, bring the EMG request form given to you by your doctor and the reports of previous examinations (radiological examinations, laboratory examinations and the results of previous EMG examinations) related to your condition.
If you have a blood-borne disease such as hepatitis, AIDS or if you are a carrier Inform the neurophysiologist who will conduct the EMG examination for you before the examination. . These situations do not prevent the examination, but it is important for the physician to have knowledge about these issues. You will be given minor electrical warnings during the review. These warnings are absolutely harmless. In addition, disposable sterile needle electrodes will be inserted into your muscles. These electrodes are purely for signal recording purposes and will not be administered from them. There may be pain lasting for several hours after the examination in the places where the needle electrode is inserted. Rarely, there may be small subcutaneous hemorrhages in the places where the needle electrode is inserted. EMG is a completely harmless examination method, except for pain and minor subcutaneous hemorrhages, which may rarely occur.
Examination in children. There may be a lack of reaction and cooperation between them. For this reason, if an EMG examination is to be performed on a child, it is appropriate to inform the child appropriately before the examination and to give as much confidence as possible with a friendly and understanding attitude in order to reduce his/her fear.Read: 5
