title: [The diagnostic value of the F wave latency (author's transl)].
abstract: The N. medianus was stimulated electrically in 44 healthy persons and in 30 unselected diabetics. Latencies of the F wave were measured, corrected for different lengths of the upper extremity, and used for computation of nerve conduction velocity. In comparison with conventional motor nerve conduction velocities the F wave latencies showed a more pronounced difference between the normal and the pathological (diabetic) range. The F wave nerve conduction velocities also varied less than conventional nerve conduction velocities. The explanation for this might be that the F wave recordings are the result of a full anti- and orthodromic impulse propagation which travels 5 to 6 times further than the impulse measured with conventional nerve conduction velocity methods. Therefore small delays of nerve conduction will be amplified and can be better recognized by F wave latency measurements. The present findings suggest that F wave latencies may be more sensitive than conventional nerve conduction velocities in evaluating mild cases and in identifying the initial phases of neuropathies.
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001132:Arm / Q000033:anatomy & histology; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000503:physiopathology; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D004594:Electrophysiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008475:Median Nerve; D008722:Methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction; D011115:Polyneuropathies / Q000503:physiopathology; D013997:Time Factors
vernacular_title: Der diagnostische Wert der F-Wellen-Latenz