F-Wave recorded from proximal and distal muscles innerved by the same nerve in the upper and lower extremities: could it be a new method?

Authors : Zeynep ÜNLÜTÜRK

Pages : 656-660

Doi:10.31362/patd.1351377

View : 47 | Download : 53

Publication Date : 2023-10-01

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Purpose: The F- wave is a valuable measurement that provides information about both the proximal and distal parts of the nerve. Classical F-wave recording methods are performed from the distal muscles of the limb and so are affected from distal pathologies. Nerve conduction velocity of a nerve is affected by the diameter of the nerve. The diameter of a nerve gets thinner as it gives branches and travels distally. So it is expected that the nerve conduction velocity of a nerve is faster in proximal segment of the nerve than the distal part even they are the parts of the same nerve. The aim of this study is to compare the nerve conduction parameters of F waves recorded in proximal and distal muscles innervated by the same nerve which will provide additional information and may be valuable in detecting proximal pathologies accompanying background pathologies affecting the distal nerve. Materials and methods: Twenty–six healthy volunteers who have normal routine nerve conduction studies are included in this study. The latencies of ulnar and peroneal F-waves of all participants were recorded from the proximal and distal muscles innervated by the same nerve. Results: F-wave latencies recorded from proximal muscles were significantly later than the ones recorded from distal muscles. Conclusions: Although the distances travelled by stimulation are shorter in F latencies recorded from proximal muscles, and the segment / branch of the nerve is expected to be thicker and faster, the latencies recorded from proximal muscles were longer than the ones recorded from distal muscles. This may be due to the distance of the recording electrodes effected by subcutaneous tissues in the proximal large mass muscles. One reason for this difference may be that the proximal relatively large mass muscles have higher desynchronization and temporal dispersions. Key words: F-wave, Proximal F-response, Distal peripheral neuropathy
Keywords : F dalgası, Proksimal F yanıtı, Distal Periferal nöropati