Arquivos de Neuro-Psiquiatria (Jul 2013)

Ulnar sensory-motor amplitude ratio: a new tool to differentiate ganglionopathy from polyneuropathy

  • Raphael Ubirajara Garcia,
  • Joao Adilson Gama Ricardo,
  • Cassiana Abreu Horta,
  • Solange Garcia Garibaldi,
  • Anamarli Nucci,
  • Marcondes Cavalcante Franca Junior

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1590/0004-282X20130063
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 71, no. 7
pp. 465 – 469

Abstract

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The objective of this study was to evaluate if the ratio of ulnar sensory nerve action potential (SNAP) over compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitudes (USMAR) would help in the distinction between ganglionopathy (GNP) and polyneuropathy (PNP). Methods We reviewed the nerve conductions studies and electromyography (EMG) of 18 GNP patients, 33 diabetic PNP patients and 56 controls. GNP was defined by simultaneous nerve conduction studies (NCS) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) abnormalities. PNP was defined by usual clinical and NCS criteria. We used ANOVA with post-hoc Tukey test and ROC curve analysis to compare ulnar SNAP and CMAP, as well as USMAR in the groups. Results Ulnar CMAP amplitudes were similar between GNP x PNP x Controls (p=0.253), but ulnar SNAP amplitudes (1.6±3.2 x 11.9±9.1 × 45.7±24.7) and USMAR values (0.3±0.3 × 1.5±0.9 × 4.6±2.2) were significantly different. A USMAR threshold of 0.71 was able to differentiate GNP and PNP (94.4% sensitivity and 90.9% specificity). Conclusions USMAR is a practical and reliable tool for the differentiation between GNP and PNP.

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