The role of electromyography in clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular locomotor problems in the horse.
Abstract: Systematically performed EMG needle examination of muscles provides essential information about the functional aspects of the motor unit. However, clinical studies in which information is given on the diagnostic and discriminative values of electromyography (EMG) in the horse are scarce. Objective: To determine to what extent inclusion of EMG analysis in clinical examination contributes to determination of type and localisation of abnormality. Methods: EMG analysis, complete clinical examination and diagnosis of 108 horses (mean +/- s.d. age 75 +/- 3.8 years; bodyweight 548 +/- 86 kg; height 1.67 +/- 0.07 m) were performed, and results without and with EMG analysis compared. Results: Without EMG, myopathy and neuropathy were diagnosed in 20 and 58 horses, respectively, and with EMG in 17 and 82 horses. EMG changed localisation in myopathy and neuropathy in 12 and 37% of cases, respectively. Lesions in the C1-T2, T2-L3 and L3-S3 segments were, respectively, diagnosed without EMG in 7, 11 and 30%, and with EMG in 27, 7 and 17% of cases. Where no clinical diagnosis could be made prior to EMG, many patients appeared to be suffering from localised cervical lesions (29%) or generalised neuropathy (54%). Conclusions: The assistance of EMG in discriminating between normal, neuropathy and myopathy, and in locating pathology, contributes to diagnosis of neuromuscular problems.
Publication Date: 2005-01-20 PubMed ID: 15656503DOI: 10.2746/0425164044848019Google Scholar: Lookup
The Equine Research Bank provides access to a large database of publicly available scientific literature. Inclusion in the Research Bank does not imply endorsement of study methods or findings by Mad Barn.
- Journal Article
Summary
This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.
The research examines the significance of electromyography (EMG) in identifying neuromuscular issues in horses, finding it useful in distinguishing between normal, neuropathy and myopathy, and localizing the pathology.
Research Context
- The entire focus of the research is set on the use of electromyography (EMG), a diagnostic procedure that maps the electrical activity produced by muscles, in diagnosing neuromuscular locomotor problems in horses.
- The lack of comprehensive clinical studies revolving around the discriminative and diagnostic values of EMG in horses fuels the need for the research.
Methods
- The research methodology involves the EMG analysis, complete clinical examination, and diagnosis of 108 horses with an average age of around 75 years and varying physical parameters.
- The results obtained through methods inclusive and exclusive of EMG were compared for a more comprehensive study.
Results
- The results show a significant change in the figures of horses diagnosed with myopathy and neuropathy with the inclusion of EMG. Myopathy was observed in 20 horses without EMG and 17 with EMG. For neuropathy, the figures changed significantly from 58 to 82 with the inclusion of EMG.
- EMG proved to alter localisation in myopathy and neuropathy in 12% and 37% of cases respectively.
- The localization of lesions in the C1-T2, T2-L3 and L3-S3 segments differed in its percentages with the inclusion and exclusion of EMG.
- EMG was found especially useful in cases where no clinical diagnosis could be made prior. In such cases, many patients appeared to be suffering from localised cervical lesions (29%) or generalised neuropathy (54%).
Conclusions
- The research concludes the importance of EMG in diagnosing neuromuscular issues in horses.
- It provides a precise differentiation between normal, neuropathy and myopathy and captures significant improvements in the localization of pathology, aiding in the diagnosis of neuromuscular problems.
Cite This Article
APA
Wijnberg ID, Back W, de Jong M, Zuidhof MC, van den Belt AJ, van der Kolk JH.
(2005).
The role of electromyography in clinical diagnosis of neuromuscular locomotor problems in the horse.
Equine Vet J, 36(8), 718-722.
https://doi.org/10.2746/0425164044848019 Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Department of Equine Sciences, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, Utrecht University, Yalelaan 12-16, 3584 TD, Utrecht, The Netherlands.
MeSH Terms
- Animals
- Electromyography / methods
- Electromyography / veterinary
- Female
- Horse Diseases / diagnosis
- Horse Diseases / physiopathology
- Horses
- Locomotion
- Male
- Muscle, Skeletal / physiology
- Neuromuscular Diseases / diagnosis
- Neuromuscular Diseases / physiopathology
- Neuromuscular Diseases / veterinary
- Reproducibility of Results
- Sensitivity and Specificity
Citations
This article has been cited 3 times.- Zsoldos RR, Khayatzadeh N, Soelkner J, Schroeder U, Hahn C, Licka TF. Comparison of gluteus medius muscle activity in Haflinger and Noriker horses with polysaccharide storage myopathy.. J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl) 2021 May;105(3):549-557.
- Story MR, Haussler KK, Nout-Lomas YS, Aboellail TA, Kawcak CE, Barrett MF, Frisbie DD, McIlwraith CW. Equine Cervical Pain and Dysfunction: Pathology, Diagnosis and Treatment.. Animals (Basel) 2021 Feb 6;11(2).
- Mirra A, Klopfenstein Bregger MD, Levionnois OL. Suspicion of Postanesthetic Femoral Paralysis of the Non-Dependent Limb in a Horse.. Front Vet Sci 2018;5:12.
Use Nutrition Calculator
Check if your horse's diet meets their nutrition requirements with our easy-to-use tool Check your horse's diet with our easy-to-use tool
Talk to a Nutritionist
Discuss your horse's feeding plan with our experts over a free phone consultation Discuss your horse's diet over a phone consultation
Submit Diet Evaluation
Get a customized feeding plan for your horse formulated by our equine nutritionists Get a custom feeding plan formulated by our nutritionists
