Lumbo-sacral radiculopathy. The sensitivity of electromyographical studies compared to imaging techniques and clinical findings

Abstract

ln this retrospective study, we evaluated the sensitivity of electromyographtc studies (EMG) in patients with suspected lumbo-sacral radi­culopathy in comparison with imagiological and clinical findings.

A total of 56 patients were included in the analysis. Thirty-five patients had abnormal EMG results. Thirty-one had unilateral and four bilateral root involvement. ln five pati­ents, there was no concordance between the imagtological and EMG findings (false-posi­tive results); one of the patients had Bruce­llosis. Twenty-one patients had normal elec­ tromyographic examinations, and ten of them had normal imagiological studies. Of the re­ maining eleven, only one had imagtological abnormaltties with obvious root compromi­se and a normal EMG (false-negative result). Patients with abnormal EMG's had much more commonly, a pattern of diminished tendon reflexes, segmental weakness and sensory­ motor symptoms, in comparison to the group with normal EMG studies.

We conclude that the electromyographic stu­dy can give important information in the eva­luation of patients with suspected lumbo-sa­cral radiculopathy. lt's accessibtlity, low cost and fiability should render it a complemen­tary study of first choice.