Base Knowledge
Neuroanatomy;
Patophysiology of Peripheral Nervous System
Principles of Nerve Conduction Studies
Teaching Methodologies
Classes with slides, in a PowerPoint presentation, covering different theoretical-practical topics on the objectives of the curricular unit.
Practical classes to handle and perform Nervous Conduction Studies exams.
Resolution of exercises for the practical component, containing questions on theoretical, theoretical-practical and practical topics, as well as interpretation and solving of real clinical cases.
Learning Results
The main objective of this curricular unit is to provide students with the necessary tools and knowledge to understand the functioning of the peripheral nervous system and the electroneurographic changes that occur in specific pathologies. Therefore, students should:
– Have the ability to perform a nerve conduction study, with knowledge of the anatomophysiology of the different nerves and muscles of the body;
– Acquire critical thinking skills to adapt the protocol and conduct of the investigation according to the electrophysiological findings during the conduct of a study, and the ability to correlate the clinical history with the results obtained;
– The ability to analyse and report the results obtained and to deduce from them the main pathophysiological hypotheses of the investigation and the probable diagnosis;
– General knowledge of the use of the equipment and apparatus used to perform a nerve conduction study, from operating the equipment independently to selecting the appropriate amplifiers and electrodes for the situation to overriding or mitigating artifacts/interferences that may interfere with or preventing the study;
– Knowledge of needle electromyography to better understand the effects and extensions of pathologies that may affect the peripheral nervous system and to monitor and assist the neurophysiologist in performing the examination.
Program
– Review of the concepts of nerve conduction studies and the elements that make up the peripheral nervous system (peripheral nerves, skeletal muscle and neuromuscular transmission);
– Review of the basic and general principles of needle electromyography;
– Electromyography patterns – normal and pathological findings;
– Repetitive nerve stimulation
– Study of peripheral nervous system pathologies and their characteristic electroneurographic findings:
Complex polyneuropathies;
Multiple mononeuropathies;
Plexopathies;
Motor neuron diseases;
Muscular diseases (myopathies, muscular dystrophies and myositis);
Neuromuscular transmission diseases: Myasthenia Gravis, Eaton-Lambert Syndrome and Botulism;
Curricular Unit Teachers
Internship(s)
Bibliography
PRIMARY:
– Kimura, J. Electrodiagnosis in Diseases of Nerve and Muscle – Principles and Practice. 4th Ed. 2013. Oxford University Press.
– Preston DC, Shapiro BE. Electromyography and Neuromuscular Disorders: Clinical-Electrophysiologic Correlations. 3rd Ed. 2013. Elsevier Saunders.
– Netter, F.H. Atlas of Human Anatomy. 3rd Ed. 2003. Teterboro; New Jersey. Icon Learning System
SECONDARY:
– Liveson, J.A., Ma, D.M. Laboratory Reference for Clinical Neurophysiology. 1st Ed. 1992. F.A. Davis Company
– Sethi, RK, Thompson, LL. The Electromyographer’s Handbook. 2nd Ed. 1989. Little, Brown and Company.
– Buschbacher, R.M., Prahlow, N. Manual of Nerve Conduction Studies. 2nd Ed. 2005. Demos Medical Publishing.
– Geiringer, SR. Anatomic Localization for Needle Electromyography, 1st Ed. 1991. Hanley and Belfus, Inc. Philadelphia.
