Nerve conduction studies. Types, components, abnormalities, and value in localization.

Abstract

Nerve conduction studies are essential components of the electrodiagnostic study. Several components might be analyzed and are diagnostically important. These include amplitude, duration, area, latency, and conduction velocity. Nerve lesions cause axon loss or demyelination, and in nerve conduction studies, have distinctive patterns. An important function of the electrodiagnostic examination, including nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography examinations, is to localize nerve lesions as accurately as possible.