The value of electromyography in differentiating intramedullary tumor from inflammatory demyelinating disease of cervical region
Wang, H.; Chen, Z.; Ling, L.; Shang, A.; Qiao, G.; Cui, F.; Yang, F.; Huang, X.
Zhonghua Nei Ke Za Zhi 53(6): 469-472
2014
ISSN/ISBN: 0578-1426 PMID: 25146516 Document Number: 672939
To investigate the value of needle electromyography (EMG) in differentiating intramedullary tumor from inflammatory demyelinating disease of cervical region. Patients hospitalized in the Chinese PLA General Hospital from March 2008 to June 2013 with abnormalities on MRI of cervical vertebra and preliminary diagnosed as intramedullary tumor or inflammatory demyelinating disease of cervical region were enrolled in the study. Electrophysiological examination was performed before any treatment. Pathological findings were analyzed and prognosis was evaluated in all the subjects. A total of fifty-five patients were enrolled in the study with 33 cases of inflammatory demyelinating disease and 22 cases of intramedullary tumor defined by the postoperative pathological findings. In all the 33 cases with demyelinating disease, only one case (3.03%) presented as neurogenic damage by needle EMG. While in all the 22 cases with intramedullary tumor, needle EMG revealed neurogenic damage in 15 cases (68.18%) and the spinal segments of muscles with neurogenic damage were all within the spinal lesions demonstrated by MRI. The diagnostic sensitivity of EMG for intramedullary tumor was 68.18% and the diagnostic specificity was 96.97%, while the diagnostic sensitivity and specificity for intramedullary tumor by the medical history, symptoms and signs were 59.09% and 75.76% respectively. Needle EMG might play an important role in distinguishing intramedullary tumor from inflammatory demyelinating disease of cervical spinal cord.