DIAGNOSTIC EXAMINATIONS: Electromyography

Laboratory Evaluation	Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy
Electromyography	Transcranial Magnetic Stimulation
Lumbar Puncture	Motor Unit Number Estimate
Magnetic Resonance Imaging	Muscle and Nerve Biopsy
Quantitative Muscle Testing

Electromyography

Electromyography (EMG) evaluates the neurophysiological function of the peripheral motor and sensory nervous system and skeletal muscles. In other words, the EMG test determines if weakness in the muscles is caused by dysfunction of the muscles or the nerves controlling muscles and is one of most useful laboratory tests when evaluating patients who have neuromuscular diseases. The needle electrode EMG can determine if the disease is originating in the nerve or muscle, the distribution and the duration of the disease. Nerve Conduction Velocity studies (NCV) are able to evaluate the functional integrity of motor and sensory nerves. This test is done at the same time as the EMG and can determine if the disease is primarily in the nerve fibers themselves or the myelin sheath (coating on the nerve) causing slowed electrical conduction.

The EMG Laboratory at Columbia Presbyterian is directed by Louis H. Weimer, MD.

» Center For Neuromuscular Diseases - www.columbiaemg.org