Detecting fasciculations in cranial nerve innervated muscles with ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis

Cullen M. O'gorman, Janneke G. Weikamp, Michael Baria, Lenie Van Den Engel-hoek, Charles Kassardjian, Nens Van Alfen, Andrea J. Boon

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

14 Scopus citations

Abstract

Introduction: Cranial muscle fasciculations may be difficult to detect in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Ultrasound (US) detection of fasciculations in these muscles may have clinical utility. Methods: Patients with suspected ALS were prospectively enrolled. Nerve conduction studies, needle electromyography (EMG), and US examination of cranial muscles were performed. Controls were examined by US only. Fasciculations were counted and scored for each muscle after 10 or 30 seconds. Results: There were 84 patients with ALS. Fasciculations were most frequently found in the genioglossus muscle. Overall, detection rates by US and EMG were similar, but US was more likely to detect frequent fasciculations. Fasciculations were rare in controls, seen in 7 of 1,090 (0.6%) muscles. No control had > 5 fasciculations in any muscle. Discussion: Fasciculations were frequently detected in cranial muscles of patients with ALS. US was found to be a sensitive method, and was not impaired by factors such as anxiety and the inability of the patient to relax. Muscle Nerve 56: 1072–1076, 2017.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)1072-1076
Number of pages5
JournalMuscle and Nerve
Volume56
Issue number6
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2017

Keywords

  • amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
  • controls
  • diagnosis
  • electromyography
  • fasciculations
  • ultrasound

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Physiology
  • Clinical Neurology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Physiology (medical)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Detecting fasciculations in cranial nerve innervated muscles with ultrasound in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this