Sweden
A 24-year-old female asked:
Does a clean emg mean no als?
3 doctor answers • 11 doctors weighed in
Dr. Olav Jarenanswered
Neurology 21 years experience
Criteria for ALS: An entirely normal EMG is a strong vote against the diagnosis of ALS. Although an EMG does not diagnose ALS, it would be abnormal if ALS was present.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Eric Keltsanswered
Neurology 27 years experience
ALS on EMG: The diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis is a difficult one. Electromyography (EMG) can help by demonstrating subclinical evidence for the disease, with fasciculation potentials, fibrillation potentials and positive sharp waves supporting the diagnosis-especially when seen in the glossus (tongue) muscles and the thoracic paraspinals. It would be unusual for the EMG in ALS to be normal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.8k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Dr. Bennett Machanicanswered
Neurology 54 years experience
For the most part: There are some unusual variations of ALS involving mainly bulbar or facial musculature, and in some cases of primary lateral sclerosis, the basic EMG may be non-diagnostic, but in most cases, of ALS, EMG is quite abnormal.
Created for people with ongoing healthcare needs but benefits everyone.
3.7k viewsReviewed >2 years ago
Last updated Mar 18, 2018
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