EMG indications and findings in a sub-Saharan African neurorehabilitation center

Document Type

Article

Department

Internal Medicine (East Africa)

Abstract

Objective: This study aims to assess the frequency and indication for electrodiagnostic referrals as well as to summarize the findings from the procedure at a neurorehabilitation center in Ibadan, Nigeria.

Methods: This is a retrospective cross-sectional study. Data from referrals to Blossom Medical Centre/ World Federation for Neurorehabilitation (BMC/WFNR) center, Ibadan, Nigeria, from April 2014 to December 2016 were collated and analyzed.

Results: Sixty referrals were received during the period of evaluation. Neurologists referred most of the patients (47; 71.7%). Disorders of the peripheral nerves were the most frequent reasons for electromyo- graphy (EMG), and they were the most common electrodiagnosis with better classified into axonal and demyelinating types. The overall congruence between the suspected diagnosis and final diagnosis was 58.3%. Requests by neurologists were significantly more appropriate than those by other specialists (p value = 0.02).

Conclusion: Polyneuropathy, entrapment neuropathy, and disorders of the motor nerve root and plexus were the most common reasons for electrodiagnostic requests, and the majority of the referrals were from neurologists. Significance: EMG has changed the approach towards the diagnosis and management of neuromuscular disorders in Nigeria. It is hoped that with more neurophysiology education in this environment, neuro- physiological practice will become widely available

Comments

This work was published before the author joined Aga Khan University.

Publication (Name of Journal)

Clinical Neurophysiology Practice

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