title: EMG vagus nerve stimulator artifact.
abstract: EMG artifact produced by a VNS stimulator is described. A patient with a VNS stimulator underwent an EMG study for suspected ALS. Artifacts that appeared similar to positive sharp waves or fibrillations were noted that could produce a false clinical diagnosis. These VNS-EMG artifacts matched well with the VNS generator's set parameters. We conclude that EMG findings must be interpreted with caution in patients with VNS implants and also that EMG may have a possible monitoring value for VNS activity.
authors.affiliation: Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center, Department of Neurology, New Orleans, LA 70112, USA. sbajanishvili@yahoo.com
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bejanishvili
authors.forename: L E
authors.initials: LE
authors.lastname: Osborne
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Messenger
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Olejniczak
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gutierrez
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000502:physiology; D000690:Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016477:Artifacts; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D003951:Diagnostic Errors / Q000517:prevention & control; D004599:Electric Stimulation Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004567:Electrodes, Implanted / Q000009:adverse effects; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards*; D004827:Epilepsy / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009334:Neck Muscles / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D014630:Vagus Nerve / Q000502:physiology* / Q000601:surgery