Abstract
Background and Objectives: Imaging studies have failures to evaluate patients with cervical radiculopathy, for example, false positive, low sensitivity, … and routine electrodiagnosis investigate distal portions, and definite evidence of denervation in EMG and abnormal F-waves are low in frequency while slowing or block of conduction may be the only abnormality in proximal segment. This survey have been planned for actual experience of root stimulation to determinate efficacy diagnostic rate in cervical radiculopathy, possible complication and patient uncompliance.
Matriels and Methods: Patients were tested in two major clinical groups including: without sign or maybe only with radicular symptom and radiculopathy with sign (probable with symptom and one radicular sign i.e., sensory, motor or reflex involvement-definite with symptom and two or three radicular sign). Two monopolar needle inserted into paraspinal muscles, one cathod immediately adjust and below spinous process of C5, C6, C7 vertebral body and other anode inserted in contralateral side and also two disc electrode recorded compound muscle action potential that active was on motor point of biceps, triceps and abductor digiti minimi and reference electrode was on tendon of same muscle in distal area, respectively for evaluation of C5-6, C7, C8-T1 radiculopathy and then if latency difference in affected side was at least 1 ms greater than unaffected side, test result was positive. In addition, routine electrodiagnosis was performed before this process.
Results: Pneumothorax complication was not being noted. All patients (33) undergone complete performing of test. Thirsthy patients with unilateral radiculopathy were included in diagnostic component of study. Twenty four cases (80%) were positive and six (20%) had negative results. All the patients in definite and probable radiculopathy (radiculopathy with sign, 16 cases) had positive results and in possible group six cases had negative results (42.8%).
Conclusion: This survey is assumed that root stimulation is safe, acceptable by patients and sensitive in evaluation of cervical radiculopathy. This mothod has benefits as a complementary test in evaluation of proximal nerve pathway lesions, especially in conduction disorder.