Diagnosis of Lumbar Radiculoapthy Using Needle Electromyography in the Paraspinal Muscle

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2003;5(2):69-74.
Published online May 10, 2003.

Abstract

Objective: To localize the root level of a lumbar radiculopathy by using needle electromyography in the paraspinal muscles. Method: We analyzed simplified parasplnal mapping data of 11 patients with clinically and radiologically diagnosed lumbar radiculopathy and 35 healthy volunteers. Results: In the most medial“ S”column (the most medial 1 cm of the insertion for root -specific), mean MiniPM scores were 4.82 for clinically and radiologlcally proven lesion; 2.43 for the level above and below the lesion; 0.91 for two levels above and below the lesion; 0.29 for three levels above and below the lesion. Differences between the lesion level and each levels were statistically significant; P<0.01 for all three levels. Similar results were obtained in the “M”column(slightly lateral for mixed innervation). Conclusion: In the S column, mean scores at the lesion were generally higher than those of each other level. Electromyography using MiniPM may substantially decrease the need for extensive extremity EMG. We recommend the addition of MiniPM to the standard electrodiagnostic evaluation of lumbar radiculopathy.

Key Words: Radiculopathy, Electromyography, Paraspinal muscles