Macro-EMG in mitochondriopathy.
OBJECTIVE
In a previous macro-EMG study on patients with mitochondriopathy, macro-MUAP amplitude has been shown to be the electromyographic parameter most often abnormal. We wanted to investigate the role of the macro-MUAP area and if macro-EMG is more helpful than conventional needle-EMG in detecting involvement of the skeletal muscle in patients with mitochondriopathy.


METHODS
From the right brachial biceps muscles of 38 healthy subjects and 20 patients with primary mitochondriopathy, aged 23-72 y, conventional needle EMGs and macro-EMGs were recorded one after the other.


RESULTS
Macro-MUAP amplitude and macro-MUAP area were not significantly different between patients and controls. The sensitivity of the macro-EMG was 35%, that of conventional needle EMG 40%. Both methods supplemented each other.


CONCLUSIONS
The sensitivity of the macro-EMG to detect involvement of the skeletal muscle in patients with mitochondriopathy is similar to that of conventional needle EMG. Macro-MUAP area was not more helpful than macro-MUAP amplitude in this respect.
Finsterer
J
J
Ludwig Boltzmann Institute for Epilepsy and Neuromuscular Disorders, Vienna, Austria. fij@2nr.nkr.magwien.gv.at
Fuglsang-Frederiksen
A
A
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D004576:Electromyography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017240:Mitochondrial Myopathies / Q000503:physiopathology*; D009132:Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology