Cricopharyngeal electromyography: patterns of injury based on etiology.
OBJECTIVE
Although cricopharyngeal electromyography (CP-EMG) is recognized as a diagnostic tool for dysphagia assessment, few reports in the literature characterize CP-EMG abnormalities in relation to clinical presentation. The aim of this study was to review a large series of CP-EMG studies, and compare the CP-EMG results with the patients' diagnoses.


METHODS
A retrospective review of all CP-EMG performed at our institution over a 10-year period was executed. CP-EMG findings were then compared with the patients' clinical history, focusing on potential etiologies of neurogenic injury.


RESULTS
Seventy CP-EMGs were reviewed, with 47 (67%) demonstrating neural injury. Of those cases with neural injury on EMG, 29 (60%) had known vagal injuries, 13 (28%) had idiopathic nerve palsies, and 5 (11%) had central etiologies, such as stroke. Each of these three neurogenic subgroups revealed a distinct pattern of EMG abnormalities.


CONCLUSIONS
This study suggests there is an association between patterns of CP-EMG abnormalities and underlying etiology based on clinical history.
Shemirani
Nima L
NL
Otolaryngology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA. nshemira@mcw.edu
Halum
Stacey L
SL
Merati
Albert L
AL
Toohill
Robert J
RJ
Jaradeh
Safwan
S
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D003680:Deglutition Disorders / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D004576:Electromyography; D049631:Esophageal Sphincter, Upper / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010523:Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D061223:Vagus Nerve Injuries