title: Single-fiber EMG with a concentric needle electrode: validation in myasthenia gravis.
abstract: We performed a retrospective study to validate whether a disposable concentric needle electrode (CNE) can be used in place of a single-fiber (SF) electrode for jitter measurements in myasthenia gravis (MG). Normal values for voluntary contraction of orbicularis oculi (OO) and extensor digitorum communis (EDC) were collected from 20 healthy subjects. The method was validated by a retrospective analysis of 56 consecutive MG patients, the "gold standard" being a positive acetylcholine receptor (AChR) antibody titer at the time of the electrophysiological (electromyography) study and the clinical diagnosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were constructed to define maximal sensitivity and specificity of the technique. The sensitivity was 96.4% (95% confidence interval 87.5%-99.6%), with no false-positive results, similar to traditional SF EMG and confirming that the disposable CNE is a justifiable alternative.
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Radcliffe Infirmary, Oxford OX2 6HE, United Kingdom. ptolemaios1@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Ptolemaios G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Sarrigiannis
authors.forename: Robin P
authors.initials: RP
authors.lastname: Kennett
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Read
authors.forename: Maria E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Farrugia
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000906:Antibodies / Q000097:blood; D004566:Electrodes; D004576:Electromyography / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009157:Myasthenia Gravis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D009412:Nerve Fibers; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic / Q000276:immunology
chemical_list: D000906:Antibodies; D011950:Receptors, Cholinergic