F-wave amplitude

Electromyogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1999 Jan-Feb;39(1):7-10.

Abstract

To determine the diagnostic efficacy of F-wave amplitude and F/M-ratio measurements in routine electrodiagnostic examinations, normal values were established for the ulnar nerve and systematically applied to a group of patients with various nosological entities (Mononeuropathies at the elbow, radiculopathies of C8, polyneuropathies, anterior horn cell disorders, plexopathies, syringomyelias, others). As a result, F/M-ratio can distinguish between the various pathological conditions (P = 0.02). Patients with radiculopathy and accompanying myelopathy were identified by increased F/M-ratio. It is concluded that F-wave amplitude analysis can give hints for additional central pathology in the individual case.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anterior Horn Cells / physiology
  • Electromyography
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Motor Neuron Disease / physiopathology
  • Peripheral Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reference Values
  • Spinal Cord Diseases / physiopathology
  • Spinal Nerve Roots / physiopathology
  • Syringomyelia / physiopathology
  • Ulnar Nerve / physiology*