OBJECTIVE: To collect a reference material of the medial plantar nerve action potential, to test intra/interobserver reliability in healthy controls and to apply the test to a group of patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 98 healthy controls and 50 patients with diabetes mellitus were included. The medial plantar nerve was stimulated orthodromically and recorded with a surface electrode. In the patient group, NCS of motor and sensory nerves and quantitative sensory testing were also performed. RESULTS: Responses of the medial plantar nerve were obtained from all controls except from one aged 72. Amplitude decreased with age (r=-0.68, p<0.0001). Intra/interobserver reliability was acceptable. 52% of the patients had abnormal overall NCS classification. Forty-eight percent had delayed tibial F-response latency. The medial plantar NCS were abnormal in 59% of the cases (47% abnormal NAP amplitude and 39% reduced CV), 59% of those with abnormal NCS had symptoms of sensory polyneuropathy. Only 24% had abnormal sural amplitude. Cold perception threshold was abnormal in more patients (30%) than warmth perception threshold (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Responses were easily obtained in controls under 70 years. In diabetics the amplitudes of the medial plantar nerve were abnormal more often than in the sural nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: The medial plantar nerve response is reliable in patients under 70 years, and intra/interobserver reliability is acceptable.
OBJECTIVE: To collect a reference material of the medial plantar nerve action potential, to test intra/interobserver reliability in healthy controls and to apply the test to a group of patients with diabetes mellitus. METHODS: 98 healthy controls and 50 patients with diabetes mellitus were included. The medial plantar nerve was stimulated orthodromically and recorded with a surface electrode. In the patient group, NCS of motor and sensory nerves and quantitative sensory testing were also performed. RESULTS: Responses of the medial plantar nerve were obtained from all controls except from one aged 72. Amplitude decreased with age (r=-0.68, p<0.0001). Intra/interobserver reliability was acceptable. 52% of the patients had abnormal overall NCS classification. Forty-eight percent had delayed tibial F-response latency. The medial plantar NCS were abnormal in 59% of the cases (47% abnormal NAP amplitude and 39% reduced CV), 59% of those with abnormal NCS had symptoms of sensory polyneuropathy. Only 24% had abnormal sural amplitude. Cold perception threshold was abnormal in more patients (30%) than warmth perception threshold (14%). CONCLUSIONS: Responses were easily obtained in controls under 70 years. In diabetics the amplitudes of the medial plantar nerve were abnormal more often than in the sural nerve. SIGNIFICANCE: The medial plantar nerve response is reliable in patients under 70 years, and intra/interobserver reliability is acceptable.
Authors: Rachel E Ward; Robert M Boudreau; Aaron I Vinik; Sasa A Zivkovic; Omer T Njajou; Suzanne Satterfield; Tamara B Harris; Anne B Newman; Elsa S Strotmeyer Journal: Clin Neurophysiol Date: 2012-09-26 Impact factor: 3.708