Re: MS and EMG?

Posted By CCF neuro MD MM on November 01, 1998 at 13:20:36:

In Reply to: MS and EMG? posted by MS'er on October 31, 1998 at 23:23:09:






I was diag. in 1986 with MS, w/apprx. 14 spots in the brain area.  I had an EMG recently and I was told it showed carpel tunnel and a pinched nerve which was healed.  My five occur. have been fatigue, eyesight and numbness for the most part. I had had a visual disturb. apprx. 1 1/2 mos before the EMG and my vision was back.  Does MS show up on an EMG?  What is it expected to tell one about MS?



  
MS is a disease of the cnetral nervous system , that is it effects the
nerves before they leave the spinal cord, it does not effect nerves
outside of the cord.
EMG is a test of the peripheral nerves, it does not test anything after
the point where nerves enter the spinal cord.
The EMG test therefore has no relevance to MS and will not show any
abnormalities in MS.
If you have the misfortune to have two separate problems the
peripheral nerve  problems like carpal tunnel will show up on the EMG
and MS will show up on tests which examine the central nervous system
( SSEP and MRI )