title: Electromyographic and lower extremity short time to inversion recovery magnetic resonance imaging findings in lumbar radiculopathy.
abstract: To determine if short TI (time to inversion) recovery (STIR) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is useful in assessing lower extremity (LE) denervation in subacute lumbar radiculopathy (LR), 25 subjects underwent lumbar spine MRI, LE STIR MRI and needle electromyography (EMG). In 23 (92%) subjects there was a positive correlation between LE STIR MRI and EMG (P < 0.009). Increased signal intensity on LE STIR MRI corresponds closely with spontaneous activity on EMG in subacute LR and may be a useful adjunct diagnostic tool.
authors.affiliation: Providence Medical Center, Centralia, WA, USA.
authors.forename: G T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Carter
authors.forename: R C
authors.initials: RC
authors.lastname: Fritz
mesh_terms: D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008161:Lumbosacral Region; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000294:innervation / Q000473:pathology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009410:Nerve Degeneration; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000473:pathology*; D013997:Time Factors