Optimal Distal Stimulation Site in the Peroneal Motor Nerve Conduction Study

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2003;5(1):11-14.
Published online May 10, 2003.

Abstract

Objectives: To find an optimal distal stimulation site for the peroneal motor nerve conduction study. Methods: Forty peroneal nerves of twenty healthy adults (mean age: 35.4 13.1) were evaluated. The active surface electrode was placed over the extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) muscle. Five stimulation sites were set at 1 cm intervals, with each site 8 cm from the active electrode (EDB). S1 represented the stimulation site just lateral to the tibialis anterior tendon. S2, S3, S4, and S5 were the stimulation sites 1, 2, 3, and 4 cm lateral to the tibialis anterior tendon, respectively. The latencies and amplitudes of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) were obtained with supramaximal electric stimulation at each site (S1-S5). The optimal distal stimulation site was determined as the site with the largest CMAP amplitude. Results: Number of cases for which each stimulation site evoked the largest CMAP amplitude were as follows: S1, 11 (27.5%); S2, 11 (27.5%); S3, 17 (42.5%); S4, 1 (2.5%); S5, 0 (0%). Conclusion: The optimal distal stimulation site for the peroneal motor nerve conduction study was at a point 8 cm proximal to the active electrode (EDB) and 2 cm lateral to the tibialis anterior tendon.

Key Words: Deep peroneal nerve, Nerve conduction, Stimulation site, Amplitude