[The method of axonal stimulation (AS) for jitter evaluation in the diagnosis of neuromuscular transmission disorders].

The results of jitter measurements in 15 patients with myasthenia gravis and 10 control group persons are presented using single fiber emg (SFEMG) method during weak voluntary activation and intramuscular AS. The method of AS is described, advantages of its use in evaluation of neuromuscular transmission disorders, some limitations and technical traps that the investigator encounters are presented. Jitter values obtained by both methods are compared and existing differences are discussed taking into account two variants of jitter origin.

Muscular fatigability in mitochondrial myopathies. An electrophysiological study.

A frequent occurrence of ophthalmoplegia and muscle fatigability in mitochondrial myopathy (MAM) often makes its differential diagnosis from myasthenia rather difficult. Neuromuscular transmission was investigated in 9 patients with MAM, presenting marked fatigability. The aim of the study was to see whether there were any other causes of muscle fatigability in addition to the metabolic factors.

[Facilitation phenomenon in electrophysiological diagnosis of myasthenia gravis].

A group of 10 patients with atypical result of repetitive stimulation was selected out of the patients examined in our EMG Laboratory. The diagnosis of myasthenia was clinically confirmed. In all those 10 patients no essential amplitude decrement was found on stimulation, so the electrophysiological confirmation of the diagnosis was lacking.

Disintegration of the motor unit in post-polio syndrome. Part II. Electrophysiological findings in patients with post-polio syndrome.

The aim of the study is to investigate the motor unit abnormalities in late postpolio muscular atrophy (PPMA) as compared to those found in patients who had polio 20-30 years prior to examination without any new clinical signs. The quantitative concentric needle EMG and a single fiber EMG techniques were employed. Spontaneous activity, the parameters of individual motor units potentials (MUP), number of complex potentials and their stability, jitter and blocking as well as fiber density (FD) have been evaluated.

Disintegration of the motor unit in post-polio syndrome. Part I. Electrophysiological findings in patients after poliomyelitis.

CN EMG and SF EMG were performed in 12 patients many years after acute poliomyelitis, without symptoms of post-polio syndrome. In 19 muscles with clinical symptoms and in 11 clinically normal muscles chronic neurogenic changes of a similar degree were observed. Fibre density was increased in both groups of muscles.