F-waves in clinical neurophysiology: a review, methodological issues and overall value in peripheral neuropathies.
This report comments on methodological issues related to the use of F-wave in clinical neurophysiology. An F-wave study aims to describe with relative accuracy the properties of the compound F-wave population which is the population of F-waves consecutively recorded from a muscle. This can only be achieved if an adequate number of F-waves is sampled. In order to avoid inaccuracies, correction of F-wave latency measurements for height or limb length and age is also required. Differences in the recording procedure could account for the variability in F-wave measurements. The usefulness of F-wave parameters other than latency is discussed. F-chronodispersion and F-tacheodispersion are more sensitive than conventional neurophysiological methods in detecting mild nerve lesions. F-persistence provides valuable information only if the findings are interpreted in correlation with the particular clinical setting. The suitability of the F-wave technique for routine studies is examined and a current view on the clinical applications is briefly recounted. There is an urgent need for the standardization of F-wave methodology.
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology and Epilepsies, St. Thomas' Hospital, London, UK.
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Panayiotopoulos
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Chroni
D004576:Electromyography; D006801:Humans; D009119:Muscle Contraction / Q000502:physiology*; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014459:Ulnar Nerve / Q000502:physiology