Elektroneuromyografia

Elektroneuromyografia, often abbreviated as ENMG or EMG, is a diagnostic medical procedure used to assess the health of muscles and nerves. It involves two main components: electroneurography and electromyography. Electroneurography measures the speed and strength of electrical signals transmitted by the nerves. This is typically done by applying a small electrical impulse to a nerve through surface electrodes and recording the response at another point along the nerve. This helps identify nerve damage, compression, or other abnormalities affecting nerve function.

Electromyography, on the other hand, evaluates the electrical activity produced by muscles. A fine needle electrode is inserted into a muscle to record its electrical signals both at rest and during voluntary contraction. Abnormal electrical patterns can indicate muscle diseases, nerve damage affecting muscle control, or problems at the neuromuscular junction where nerves connect to muscles.

ENMG is a valuable tool for diagnosing a wide range of conditions, including carpal tunnel syndrome, peripheral neuropathy, radiculopathy (pinched nerves in the spine), amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis, and various muscular dystrophies. The procedure is generally safe, with minimal discomfort, though some patients may experience temporary soreness at the electrode insertion sites. The results of the ENMG test, combined with a patient's medical history and physical examination, help physicians pinpoint the source and extent of neurological or muscular dysfunction, guiding further treatment decisions.