title: Origin of fasciculations in root lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Fasciculations are occasionally observed in root lesions, but their site of origin is uncertain.
  
  
  METHODS
  We studied the origin of fasciculations (FPs) in consecutive patients with mild chronic L5 root lesions, excluding peripheral nerve lesion. We used a novel technique of double-EMG needle recording, in which each needle was placed in the territory of separate motor units. With this technique the observation of synchronous FPs implies an origin proximal to distal axonal branching.
  
  
  RESULTS
  FPs were found in 13% of 84 consecutive patients with mild chronic L5 root lesions. In 25% they were synchronous in different motor units.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We suggest that in mild L5 root lesions most FPs have an origin at distal branches but some FPs originate proximally (25%), possibly at the site of nerve compression.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The proximal site of compression and more distal sites may both initiate fasciculation potentials in proximal root lesions.
authors.affiliation: Translational Clinical Physiology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular and Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal; Department of Neurosciences, Hospital de Santa Maria, Lisbon, Portugal. Electronic address: mamedemg@mail.telepac.pt.
authors.forename: Mamede
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: de Carvalho
authors.affiliation: Translational Clinical Physiology Unit, Instituto de Medicina Molecular and Institute of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lisbon, Portugal; Departments of Neurology and Neuroscience, Royal London Hospital, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Swash
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D004576:Electromyography / Q000379:methods; D005207:Fasciculation / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D013126:Spinal Nerve Roots / Q000503:physiopathology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Fasciculation potentials; Origin; Reinnervation; Root lesion