EMG Documentation & Reporting Flashcards

According to AANEM guidelines, which elements are required in a complete EMG/NCS report?

Answer: Patient demographics, clinical indication, detailed NCS data with normal values, needle EMG findings by muscle, and an electrodiagnostic impression correlating findings to the clinical question

AANEM guidelines require a complete report including patient demographics, clinical indication, all NCS numeric data with normal comparator values, individual muscle needle EMG findings, and a synthesizing impression.

When documenting needle EMG findings, which four key parameters should be recorded for each muscle examined?

Answer: Insertional activity, spontaneous activity at rest, motor unit potential morphology, and recruitment pattern

Standardized needle EMG reporting documents insertional activity, rest spontaneous activity, MUP morphology (amplitude, duration, phases), and recruitment pattern for each muscle.

What does a grading of '2+' fibrillation potentials indicate in standardized EMG reporting?

Answer: Fibrillation potentials present in more than 2 but fewer than 6 areas of the muscle, persisting throughout the recording

Using the AANEM 0–4 grading scale, 2+ fibrillations indicates potentials present in 3–5 areas of the muscle, reflecting moderate active denervation.

In an EMG report, the term 'reduced recruitment' most accurately refers to which finding?

Answer: Fewer motor units firing than expected for the level of patient effort, indicating a loss of motor axons or upper motor neuron inhibition

Reduced recruitment means fewer MUPs are activated for a given force level than expected, reflecting axon loss (neurogenic) or upper motor neuron pathology limiting voluntary drive.

Which statement about documenting conduction velocity in a motor NCS report is correct?

Answer: Conduction velocity should be calculated between two proximal stimulation sites and reported in meters per second along with the segment measured

Motor conduction velocity requires two proximal stimulation sites; the velocity (m/s) is calculated from the difference in latencies divided by the distance between stimulation sites for that segment.

Why is it important to include temperature documentation in an EMG/NCS report?

Answer: Cool limb temperature slows nerve conduction velocity and prolongs latencies, which can mimic neuropathy if not documented and corrected

Cool temperature reduces conduction velocity and prolongs latencies (approximately 2 m/s per 1°C), potentially producing false-positive findings; documenting and correcting for temperature ensures valid interpretation.