Is Electrophysiology Useful in the Differential Diagnostics of Lumbar Spinal Stenosis and Diabetic Polyneuropathy?
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2014 |
| Type | Article in Periodical |
| Magazine / Source | Česká a Slovenská neurologie a neurochirurgie |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Field | Neurology, neurosurgery, neurosciences |
| Keywords | lumbar spinal stenosis; diabetic polyneuropathy; electrophysiological examination; electromyography |
| Description | Aim: To evaluate validity of electrophysiological examination in the differential diagnostics of lumbar spinal stenosis (LS) and diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN). Methods: Electrophysiological parameters were examined in 68 patients with clinically symptomatic LS, in 28 patients with DPN, and in a group of 32 healthy volunteers. Results: Electrophysiological parameters evaluated from the upper extremities (F-wave latency of the ulnar nerve and radial SNAP amplitude), all the latencies measured in the lower extremities (tibial F-wave, soleus H-reflex and spinal latency of MEP), and the sural SNAP amplitude contributed significantly to distinguishing the LS from DPN patients. ROC analysis, however, disclosed only two electrophysiological parameters as effective in independent discrimination between the LS and DPN patient groups: ulnar F-wave latency (cut-off point at 24.2 ms, sensitivity 82.7% and specificity 63.9%); and radial SNAP amplitude (cut-off point at 10.5 µV, sensitivity 75.5%, specificity 58.2%). Multivariate discrimination provided a canonical score with the most powerful predictive value of all. Conclusions: Electrophysiological examination evaluated from the upper extremities proved very useful in the differential diagnostics of LS and DPN, but the most powerful predictive value was obtained by using a canonical score involving several electrophysiological parameters. |