Help EMG results

[kapper911]

Hi Guys,

First, I will start by apologizing for my bad English
I am a 31 year old male who has had neurological symptoms in the last 5 months.

It started with fasiculations and tightness in my left calf muscle.
Soon after the fasiculations became widespread. I have them everywhere on my body 24/7.
I also lost muscle mass on my left calf and my upper leg, as my neurologist mentions as atrophy.
My legs are strange to walk on, but I can still pass the strength test.
My reflexes are absent in my lower limbs

I have been through all possible test, MRI (head, spine), CT (full body), blood test, ENG, EMG, spinal tap, lyme test.
My neurologist has no more tests on the table, so I have to do follow-ups with an MND specialist to see if it evolves

I've got the report from my emg test that my neurologist calls almost normal

emg (electromyography)
M. VASTUS MED. HIS. (power 5, atrophy 0, potentials 21).
Some fasiculations.
Recruitment pattern at maximum voluntary activation with amplitude of 5.2 mV (30% increased).
The mean of the motor unit potentials was 13.2 ms, while the medium amplitude of the same was 366 μV .
5% polyphasic potentials

M. CPAUT MED. M. GASTROCNEMIUS SIN. (power 5, atrophy +, potentials 23).
Many fasiculations.
At submaximal voluntary activation, normal recruitment pattern with 2.9 mV amplitude
The mean of the motor unit potentials was 8 ms, while the medium amplitude of the same was 174 μV.
No polyphaser

I can’t get a hold in person that made my emg test, so I would like to hear if there were some of you who could help with a few questions

What does it mean:
amplitude of 5.2 mV (30% increased) ?
5% polyphasic potentials ?
Are these numbers normal or abnormal?

Thanks

 

[KarenNWendyn]

None of us here are electromyographers. However, it appears your strength is normal, and you say the neurologist report was “almost normal “. That sounds very reassuring against ALS.

Usually the report will have a summary or conclusions at the bottom of the report. That would be most helpful to us if you want our opinion.

Meanwhile the diagnosis of ALS requires loss of muscle strength and evidence of progression on exam. That’s why they want to see you in follow up. The absence of reflexes also points away from ALS.

 

[kapper911]

thanks for your reply Karen

At the end of each sentence in the report, Normal was quoted, except for the two mentioned below

amplitude of 5.2 mV (30% increased)
5% polyphasic potentials

EMG Conclusion:
No reference point for neurogenic process

I am curious to know why amplitude of 5.2 mV (30% increased) and
5% polyphasic potentials are not quoted normal like the others

I know I've lost about 30 percent strength on my left leg (dominant)
I know that because I have history of my training pass for the last 2 years. But the weakness is not enough for my neurologist to dump my strength test