Background s and Objectives : In the length-dependent axonal polyneuropathy like diabetic polyneuropathy (DPN), the distal part of the longer axons are affected earlier. In cases of minimal distal axonal changes, nerve conduction studies (NCS) are frequently normal. If sural nerve is affected in the early stage of DPN, supportive parameters to detect the early axonal degeneration may be helpful. We investigated whether the sural/lunar SNAP amplitude ratio (SUAR) may be a more sensitive indicator than sural amplitude alone in the diagnosis of early diabetic polyneuropathy. Methods: We analyzed medical records and electrophysiological studies of 141 patients with DM and 30 healthy subject. The patients with early stage of DPN were defined as those having symptoms of neuropathy and normal NCS findings among the patients with DM. We compared SUAR between 57 patients with early stage of DPN and 71 age-matched control subjects. Results: Fifty seven patients had an average SUAR of 0.8, compared to that of 1,1 in the 71 normal controls. The SUAR of less than 0.9 was supplementary predictor of axonal polynerupathy, with the best balance of sensitivity and specificity (70%). The SUAR did not vary significantly with age, height or duration of DM. Conclusions: We conclude that the SUAR is a useful electrodiagnostic indicator to detect early stage of DPN.
Background Acute brachial plexitis is an acute idiopathic inflammatory disease affecting brachial plexus, which is characterized by initial severe pain in shoulder followed by profound weakness of affected arm. This is a retrospective study to evaluate the clinical and electrophysiological profile of acute brachial plexitis. Methods: Sixteen patients with acute brachial plexitis were sampled. The electrodiagnostic studies included motor and sensory nerve conduction studies (NCSs) of the median and ulnar, sensory NCSs of medial and lateral antebrachial cutaneous nerves, and needle electromyography (EMG) of selected muscles of upper extremities and cervical paraspinal muscles. The studies were performed on both sides irrespective of the clinical involvement. Results: In most of our patient, upper trunk was predominantly affected (14 patients, 87.50%). Only two patients showed either predominant lower trunk affection or diffuse affection of brachial plexus. All had an acute pain followed by the development of muscle weakness of shoulder girdle after a variable interval (7