Repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a diagnostic aid for botulism in foals.
Abstract: Botulism is a potentially fatal paralytic disorder for which definitive diagnosis is difficult. Objective: To determine if repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve will aid in the diagnosis of botulism in foals. Methods: Four control and 3 affected foals. Methods: Validation of the test in healthy foals for its comparison in foals with suspected botulism. Controls were anesthetized and affected foals were sedated to avoid risks of anesthesia. The common peroneal nerve was chosen for its superficial location and easy access. Stimulating electrodes were placed along the common peroneal nerve. For recording, the active and reference electrodes were positioned over the midpoint and distal end of the extensor digitorum longus muscle, respectively. Repeated supramaximal stimulation of the nerve was performed utilizing a range of frequencies (1-50 Hz). Data analysis consisted of measuring the amplitude and area under the curve for each M wave and converting these values into percentages of decrement or increment based on the comparison of subsequent potentials to the initial one (baseline) within each set. Results: A decremental response was seen at all frequencies in control foals. Decremental responses also were observed in affected foals at low frequencies. An incremental response was seen in all affected foals at 50 Hz. Conclusions: Decreased baseline M wave amplitudes with incremental responses at high rates are supportive of botulism. Repetitive nerve stimulation is a safe, simple, fast, and noninvasive technique that can aid in the diagnosis of suspected botulism in foals.
Copyright © 2011 by the American College of Veterinary Internal Medicine.
Publication Date: 2011-02-11 PubMed ID: 21314725DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0682.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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- Journal Article
- Research Support
- Non-U.S. Gov't
Summary
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The research article explores the use of a technique called repetitive nerve stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a potential diagnostic aid for botulism in foals.
Methods
- The study was conducted with a sample of four healthy control foals and three foals affected by suspected botulism.
- The common peroneal nerve was chosen for stimulation due to its accessible and superficial location. The stimulating electrodes were placed along this nerve.
- The foals were either anesthetized (controls) or sedated (affected) to mitigate any risks of anesthesia.
- For recording purposes, the active and reference electrodes were positioned over the midpoint and distal end of the extensor digitorum longus muscle, respectively.
- The nerve was repeatedly stimulated using a range of frequencies, between 1 and 50 Hz.
- Data analysis involved measurement of the amplitude and area under the curve for each evoked muscle response (M wave). These values were then converted into percentages of decrement or increment based on their comparison with initial responses.
Results
- A decremental response was observed in all control foals at all frequencies.
- Meanwhile, in the affected foals decremental responses were seen predominantly at low frequencies.
- An incremental response was discerned in all affected foals at the highest frequency used for nerve stimulation (50 Hz).
Conclusions
- The research suggested that decreased baseline M wave amplitudes paired with incremental responses at high rates could be indicative of botulism in foals.
- Repetitive nerve stimulation was found to be a safe, simple, fast, and noninvasive procedure that could assist in the diagnosis of botulism in foals.
It should be noted that the sample size used in this study is small (seven foals in total), which might limit the generalizability of the findings. Nonetheless, the results suggest a promising direction for further study and potential application in diagnosing botulism in foals.
Cite This Article
APA
Aleman M, Williams DC, Jorge NE, Magdesian KG, Brosnan RJ, Feary DJ, Hilton HG, Kozikowski TA, Higgins JK, Madigan JE, Lecouteur RA.
(2011).
Repetitive stimulation of the common peroneal nerve as a diagnostic aid for botulism in foals.
J Vet Intern Med, 25(2), 365-372.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2011.0682.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- William R. Pritchard Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital, School of Veterinary Medicine, University of California, Davis, Davis, CA, USA. mraleman@ucdavis.edu
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Animals, Newborn
- Area Under Curve
- Botulism / diagnosis
- Botulism / veterinary
- Electrodiagnosis / methods
- Electrodiagnosis / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horses
- Male
- Neural Conduction / physiology
- Peroneal Nerve / physiology
Citations
This article has been cited 1 times.- Prutton JS, Magdesian KG, Plummer A, Williams DC, Aleman M. Survival of a Foal with Type A Botulism. J Vet Intern Med 2016 Mar-Apr;30(2):675-8.
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