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Borghetti VS, Cintra VP, Ramos JDO, Marques VD, Onofre PT, Santana VAS, Bezerra LFP, Tomaselli PJ, dos Santos ACJ, Sobreira CFDR, Marques W. Misdiagnoses in a Brazilian population with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. ARQUIVOS DE NEURO-PSIQUIATRIA 2022; 80:676-680. [PMID: 36254439 PMCID: PMC9685820 DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-1755224] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/28/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease that affects the upper and lower motor neurons. The correct diagnosis at the onset of the disease is sometimes very difficult, due to the symptoms being very similar to those of other neurological syndromes. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to analyze the initial manifestations, the specialty of the first physician visited due the initial complaint, the misdiagnoses, as well as the unnecessary surgical interventions in a new ALS Brazilian population. METHODS The medical records of 173 patients with typical ALS were reviewed. RESULTS The present study demonstrated that other symptoms, besides weakness, were very frequent as initial presentation of ALS, and orthopedics was the medical specialty most sought by patients at the onset of symptoms. Our frequency of misdiagnoses was 69.7%, and in 7.1% of them, an unnecessary surgical intervention was performed. CONCLUSIONS Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis presents a very large pool of signs and symptoms; therefore, there is an urgent need of increasing the disease awareness to other specialties due to the high frequency of misdiagnoses observed in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Vívian Pedigone Cintra
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
- Centro Universitário Municipal de Franca, Franca SP, Brazil
| | - Jean de Oliveira Ramos
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | - Vanessa Daccach Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | - Patrícia Toscano Onofre
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Pedro José Tomaselli
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
| | | | | | - Wilson Marques
- Universidade de São Paulo, Faculdade de Medicina de Ribeirão Preto, Ribeirão Preto SP, Brazil
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Suzuki YI, Shibuya K, Misawa S, Suichi T, Tsuneyama A, Kojima Y, Nakamura K, Kano H, Prado M, Kuwabara S. Fasciculation intensity and limb dominance in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a muscle ultrasonographic study. BMC Neurol 2022; 22:85. [PMID: 35277126 PMCID: PMC8915448 DOI: 10.1186/s12883-022-02617-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and purpose Muscle ultrasonography has been increasingly recognized as a useful tool for detection of fasciculations. Separately, concordance between dominant hand and onset side has been reported in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The aim of this study was to reveal the distribution of fasciculations in the whole body, focusing on handedness. Methods In 106 consecutive patients with ALS, muscle ultrasonography was systematically performed in 11 muscles (the tongue, and bilateral biceps brachii, 1st dorsal interosseous [FDI], T10-paraspinalis, vastus lateralis and tibialis anterior muscles). The fasciculation intensity was scored from 0 to 3 for each muscle. Results Fasciculations were more frequently found in the limb muscles than the tongue and paraspinalis. Side and handedness analyses revealed that fasciculation intensity in FDI was significantly more prominent on the right (median [inter-quartile range] 2 [0 - 3]) than left (1.5 [0 - 3]; p = 0.016), and in the dominant hand (2 [1 - 3]) than non-dominant side (1.5 [0 - 3]; p = 0.025). The differences were greater in patients with upper limb onset. There were no side differences in the lower limb muscles. Multivariate analyses showed that male patients had more frequent fasciculations in the dominant FDI (β = 0.22, p < 0.05). Conclusion More intensive fasciculations are present in the FDI in the dominant hand and gender might be associated with fasciculation intensities. This distribution pattern of fasciculations might be associated with pathogenesis of ALS.
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Shen D, Yang X, Wang Y, He D, Sun X, Cai Z, Li J, Liu M, Cui L. The Gold Coast criteria increases the diagnostic sensitivity for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in a Chinese population. Transl Neurodegener 2021; 10:28. [PMID: 34372918 PMCID: PMC8351337 DOI: 10.1186/s40035-021-00253-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/20/2021] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The aim of this study was to assess and compare the diagnostic utility of a new diagnostic criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), abbreviated as the 'Gold Coast Criteria', with the revised El Escorial (rEEC) and Awaji criteria. METHODS Clinical and electrophysiological data of 1185 patients from January 2014 to December 2019 in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital ALS database were reviewed. The sensitivity of the Gold Coast criteria was compared to that of the possible rEEC and Awaji criteria (defined by the proportion of patients categorized as definite, probable, or possible ALS). RESULTS A final diagnosis of ALS was recorded in 1162 patients. The sensitivity of the Gold Coast criteria (96.6%, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 95.3%-97.5%) was greater than that of the rEEC (85.1%, 95%CI = 82.9%-87.1%) and Awaji (85.3%, 95%CI = 83.2%-87.3%). In addition, the sensitivity of the novel criteria maintained robust across subgroups, and the advantage was more prominent in limb-onset ALS patients and those who completed electromyographic tests. In those who did not achieve any of the rEEC diagnostic categories, the sensitivity of Gold Coast criteria was 84.4%. CONCLUSIONS The current study demonstrated that the Gold Coast criteria exhibited greater diagnostic sensitivity than the rEEC and Awaji criteria in a Chinese ALS population. The application of the Gold Coast criteria should be considered in clinical practice and future therapeutic trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongchao Shen
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xunzhe Yang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Yanying Wang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Di He
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Xiaohan Sun
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Zhengyi Cai
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Jinyue Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Beijing, 100730, China.
- Neuroscience Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences and Peking Union Medical College, Beijing, 100730, China.
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Awaji criteria for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis in Hanoi, Vietnam. Neurol Sci 2021; 43:393-398. [PMID: 34023955 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-021-05333-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
The aim of the article was to evaluate the role of electromyography and the value of Awaji criteria for the diagnosis of ALS in the early stage. The study involves 48 patients (27 male and 21 females from 41 to 84 years old) who went to Bach Mai Hospital and Dong Do Clinic in Hanoi and were diagnosed with ALS according to Awaji criteria. All patients underwent clinical examination for ALS. The patients were examined for nerve conduction (motor and sensory conduction) using needle electromyography (EMG). Upper motor neuron (UMN) signs and lower motor neuron (LMN) signs were most common in the cervical region (89.58%), the lumbosacral region (70.83%), and the bulbar region (56.25%). The sensory nerve conduction was normal. The spontaneous activities (fasciculation, fibrillation, positive wave) accounted for more than 50% in all 4 regions: bulbar, cervical, thoracic, and lumbosacral regions. The abnormality of both clinical and electrodiagnosis was seen in the cervical region (87.5%) and lumbosacral one (70.83%) while the bulbar region and thoracic one usually had abnormal electrodiagnosis before clinical. There were 60.42% of patients with "definite ALS" by Awaji criteria. It allowed to make an earlier diagnosis cause the sensitivity of Awaji criteria (93.75%) was higher than the revised El Escorial criteria (85.42%) (p < 0.05). The needle EMG makes it possible to detect the early-stage symptoms of ALS in a situation where there are no clinical manifestations, especially in bulbar and thoracic regions.
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Liao SJ, Huang Z, Lai CY, Chen JY, Xiao PY, Cai Q, Yu J. The rostral to caudal gradient of clinical and electrophysiological features in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with bulbar-onset. J Int Med Res 2021; 48:300060520956502. [PMID: 32993397 PMCID: PMC7536501 DOI: 10.1177/0300060520956502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Objective Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) with bulbar-onset (BO-ALS) tends to
propagate to the adjacent anatomical regions symptomatically. However, the
spreading pattern of clinical and electrophysiological features is not well
documented. Methods This retrospective study enrolled consecutive patients with sporadic BO-ALS.
The clinical progression and electrophysiological data by electromyography
examination were retrospectively analysed based on information from the
medical records. Results The study enrolled 57 patients: 43 presented with contiguous (37 of 57) or
non-contiguous (6 of 57) progression clinically; and 14 patients did not
present with symptomatic propagation to other spinal segments. Lower motor
neuron dysfunction was more frequently involved in the bulbar and cervical
segments and less in the thoracic and lumbosacral segments. As a result, a
small proportion of patients had intact thoracic paraspinal or leg muscles
or both by electromyography examination. Furthermore, the patients with
diagnostic latency ≤6 months showed a significantly lower incidence of
neurogenic changes in the lumbosacral spinal cord compared with those with
diagnostic latency > 6 months. Conclusion This current study demonstrated a relative rostral–caudal descending gradient
of lower motor neuron dysfunction in patients with BO-ALS. These results
suggest that follow-up EMG might be necessary for a proportion of
patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Song-Jie Liao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Zi Huang
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Chong-Yuan Lai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jing-Yan Chen
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pei-Yao Xiao
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qiong Cai
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
| | - Jian Yu
- Department of Neurology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University; Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Diseases, National Key Clinical Department and Key Discipline of Neurology, Guangdong Provincial Engineering Center For Major Neurological Disease Treatment, Guangdong Provincial Translational Medicine Innovation Platform for Diagnosis and Treatment of Major Neurological Disease, Guangdong Provincial Clinical Research Center for Neurological Diseases, Guangzhou, China
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Sensitivity of Awaji Criteria and Revised El Escorial Criteria in the Diagnosis of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) at First Visit in a Tunisian Cohort. Neurol Res Int 2021; 2021:8841281. [PMID: 33552600 PMCID: PMC7847325 DOI: 10.1155/2021/8841281] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/28/2020] [Revised: 01/10/2021] [Accepted: 01/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal disease whose diagnosis and early management can improve survival. The most used diagnostic criteria are the revised El Escorial criteria (rEEC) and Awaji criteria (AC). The comparison of their sensitivities showed contradictory results. Our study aimed to compare the sensitivities of these two criteria in the diagnosis of definite ALS, at first visit, in a Tunisian hospital cohort. Materials and Methods This was a retrospective study including 173 patients diagnosed with ALS at the Department of Neurology of the Razi Hospital between January 2003 and April 2018.After studying the clinical features of the disease in our study population,each patient was categorized according to the rEEC and AC based on data collected in his medical record during his first visit to our department. Then, we compared the sensitivities of these two criteria in the diagnosis of definite ALS. Results Our Tunisian cohort was characterized by a slower disease progression. The sensitivity of the AC (69.4%) was significantly higher than that of the rEEC (40.5%) (p < 0.001). When the clinical signs evolved for less than 6 months, the sensitivities were 61% for AC and 12% for rEEC (p < 0.001). After 24 months of disease progression, the sensitivities were 78.2% for AC and 69.1% for rEEC (p = 0.063). It was impossible to categorize seventeen patients by the two criteria. Conclusion Our study demonstrated that patients in AC are more sensitive than rEEC in the early diagnosis of ALS in our Tunisian cohort. However, this superiority is gradually reduced during the evolution of the disease.
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Torrieri MC, Monticelli M, Vasta R, Cofano F, Ajello M, Canosa A, Penner F, Marengo N, Manera U, Calvo A, Chiò A, Garbossa D, Moglia C. Comorbidity of Cervical Spondylogenic Myelopathy and Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: When Electromyography Makes the Difference in Diagnosis. Eur Neurol 2020; 83:626-629. [PMID: 33296894 DOI: 10.1159/000512269] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
Cervical spondylogenic myelopathy (CSM) represents a common differential diagnosis for spinal onset Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS). Identifying occurrence of ALS in patients with CSM may be challenging. We evaluated the accuracy of Awaji criteria in the diagnosis of ALS in a cohort of patients with CSM. We screened all patients attending Turin ALS Center during the 2006-2018 period. We selected only patients for whom cervical cord MRI showed radiological signs of CSM. All patients underwent electromyography (EMG), and Awaji criteria were used for diagnosis of clinically probable ALS. All patients were followed up clinically for at least 6 months, and ALS diagnosis was eventually confirmed according to El-Escorial revised criteria, based on disease progression. Of 2,059 patients screened, in 42 cases, MRI showed signs of CSM; CSM incidence and prevalence risks were 0.16 and 2.04%, respectively. Based on clinical progression, 72.7% of patients were diagnosed as CSM and 27.3% as CSM + ALS. At EMG 6 (18.2%) patients fulfilled the criteria for ALS, 5 of them (83.3%) during clinical follow-up were diagnosed as clinical definite ALS + CSM. Accuracy of Awaji criteria in diagnosing ALS was good (AUC = 0.757, p = 0.03). Sensitivity and specificity of Awaji criteria were, respectively, 55.6 and 95.8%. Positive predictive value was 83.3%, while negative predictive value was 85.2%. CSM-ALS comorbidity is a relatively common problem in clinical practice. To better choose patients who could benefit from surgery, EMG should be performed in CSM patients, due to its good accuracy in recognizing ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Claudia Torrieri
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Monticelli
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Rosario Vasta
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Fabio Cofano
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marco Ajello
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Antonio Canosa
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Federica Penner
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Nicola Marengo
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Umberto Manera
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Andrea Calvo
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Adriano Chiò
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Diego Garbossa
- Neurosurgery Unit, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Cristina Moglia
- ALS Centre, "Rita Levi Montalcini" Department of Neuroscience, University of Turin, Turin, Italy,
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Takeda T, Kitagawa K, Arai K. Phenotypic variability and its pathological basis in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neuropathology 2019; 40:40-56. [PMID: 31802540 DOI: 10.1111/neup.12606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/30/2019] [Revised: 08/27/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is characterized by its inherent clinicopathological variability. The concurrence of upper and lower motor neuron signs is a common feature in the majority of patients with ALS. However, some patients manifest an atypical clinical course, with only upper or lower motor neuron signs, or various extra-motor symptoms including cognitive dysfunction, parkinsonism, autonomic dysfunction, or ophthalmoparesis. This variability indicates different manifestations of ALS and is reflected by ALS pathology spreading into the central nervous system. The presence of cytoplasmic inclusions positive for transactivation response DNA-binding protein 43 kDa (TDP-43) is a key feature in ALS. Loss of TDP-43 from the nucleus and its subsequent aggregation in the cytoplasm may occur in susceptible regions and may be associated with neuronal loss. However, in some regions, there is no apparent neuronal loss while TDP-43 accumulation is evident; in contrast, in other regions, neuronal loss is apparent without any evidence of TDP-43 accumulation. Therefore, in addition to TDP-43 dysfunction, underlying region-specific cellular vulnerability may exist in the upper and lower motor neurons and frontotemporal system in patients with ALS. The microscopic discrepancy and selective vulnerability may be linked to the macroscopic propensities of the sites of onset, and may also determine the direction and rate of progression of the lesions. Thus, there may be multicentric sites of onset, region-oriented disease development, and different speeds of disease progression across patients with ALS. ALS lesions occur in motor-related areas but may spread to neighboring areas. However, since lesions may spread in a discontinuous manner, and the dynamics of disease propagation have not been able to be identified, it remains controversial whether the stepwise appearance of TDP-43-positive inclusions is based on direct cell-to-cell protein propagation. Further understanding of the phenotypic variability of ALS and its pathological basis may serve as a guide for investigating the underlying pathogenesis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Takahiro Takeda
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan.,Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kazuo Kitagawa
- Department of Neurology, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Kimihito Arai
- Department of Neurology, National Hospital Organization Chibahigashi National Hospital, Chiba, Japan
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Amin Lari A, Ghavanini AA, Bokaee HR. A review of electrophysiological studies of lower motor neuron involvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Neurol Sci 2019; 40:1125-1136. [PMID: 30877611 DOI: 10.1007/s10072-019-03832-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2018] [Accepted: 03/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease involving both the upper and lower motor neuron diseases. In this review, we studied and compared different articles regarding the electrodiagnostic criteria for diagnosis of lower motor neuron pathology in ALS. We reviewed the most recent articles and metaanalysis regarding various lower motor neuron electrodiagnostic methods for ALS and their sensitivities. We concluded that Awaji Shima criteria is by far the most sensitive criteria for diagnosis of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ali Amin Lari
- Canadian Neurologic Center, Mississauga, ON, Canada.
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Geevasinga N, Howells J, Menon P, van den Bos M, Shibuya K, Matamala JM, Park SB, Byth K, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnostic index: Toward a personalized diagnosis of ALS. Neurology 2019; 92:e536-e547. [PMID: 30709964 DOI: 10.1212/wnl.0000000000006876] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 09/28/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aim of the study was to assess the utility of a novel amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnostic index (ALSDI). METHODS A prospective multicenter study was undertaken on patients presenting with suspected ALS. The reference standard (Awaji criteria) was applied to all patients at recruitment. Patients were randomly assigned to a training (75%) and a test (25%) cohort. The ALSDI was developed in the training cohort and its diagnostic utility was subsequently assessed in the test cohort. RESULTS A total of 407 patients were recruited, with 305 patients subsequently diagnosed with ALS and 102 with a non-ALS mimicking disorder. The ALSDI reliably differentiated ALS from neuromuscular disorders in the training cohort (area under the curve 0.92, 95% confidence interval 0.89-0.95), with ALSDI ≥4 exhibiting 81.6% sensitivity, 89.6% specificity, and 83.5% diagnostic accuracy. The ALSDI diagnostic utility was confirmed in the test cohort (area under the curve 0.90, 95% confidence interval 0.84-0.97), with ALSDI ≥4 exhibiting 83.3% sensitivity, 84% specificity, and 83.5% diagnostic accuracy. In addition, the diagnostic utility of the ALSDI was confirmed in patients who were Awaji negative at recruitment and in those exhibiting a predominantly lower motor neuron phenotype. CONCLUSION The ALSDI reliably differentiates ALS from mimicking disorders at an early stage in the disease process. CLASSIFICATION OF EVIDENCE This study provides Class I evidence that for patients with suspected ALS, the ALSDI distinguished ALS from neuromuscular mimicking disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nimeshan Geevasinga
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - James Howells
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Parvathi Menon
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Mehdi van den Bos
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Kazumoto Shibuya
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - José Manuel Matamala
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Susanna B Park
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Karen Byth
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- From Westmead Clinical School (N.G., P.M., M.v.d.B., S.V.), Brain and Mind Center (J.H., K.S., J.M.M., S.B.P., M.C.K.), and NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre (K.B.), University of Sydney; and Westmead Hospital (K.B.), Research and Education Network, Sydney, Australia.
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Kulkantrakorn K, Suksasunee D. Clinical, electrodiagnostic, and outcome correlation in ALS patients in Thailand. J Clin Neurosci 2017; 43:165-169. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jocn.2017.05.034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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12
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Utility of repetitive nerve stimulation test for ALS diagnosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:823-829. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.02.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/09/2016] [Revised: 02/11/2017] [Accepted: 02/26/2017] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
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13
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Disorders of motor neurons manifested by hyperactivity. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017; 173:345-351. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.04.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lenglet T, Camdessanché JP. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis or not: Keys for the diagnosis. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2017; 173:280-287. [PMID: 28461025 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2017.04.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/22/2017] [Revised: 04/06/2017] [Accepted: 04/07/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a degenerative motor neuron disease (MND) which prognosis is poor. Early diagnosis permit to set up immediately adapted treatment and cares. Available diagnostic criteria are based on the detection of both central and peripheral motor neuron injury in bulbar, cervical, thoracic and lumbar regions. Electrodiagnostic (EDX) tests are the key tools to identify peripheral motor neuron involvement. Needle examination records abnormal activities at rest, and looks for neurogenic pattern during muscle contraction. Motor unit potentials morphology is modified primary to recruitment. Motor evoked potentials remain the test of choice to identify impairment of central motor neurons. In the absence of diagnostic biomarker of ALS and among essential investigations of suspected MND, a careful clinical and neurophysiological work-up is essential to rule out the differential diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- T Lenglet
- Département de neurophysiologie clinique, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France; Centre Référent Maladies du Motoneurone et SLA, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Assistance Publique-Hôpitaux de Paris, France
| | - J-P Camdessanché
- Service de Neurologie, Hôpital Nord, CHU de Saint-Etienne, France; Centre Référent Maladies du Motoneurone et SLA, CHU de Saint-Etienne, France.
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Li DW, Liu M, Cui B, Fang J, Guan YZ, Ding Q, Li X, Cui L. The Awaji criteria increases the diagnostic sensitivity of the revised El Escorial criteria for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis diagnosis in a Chinese population. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0171522. [PMID: 28249004 PMCID: PMC5332033 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0171522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2016] [Accepted: 01/20/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES The accurate and early diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is important for extending the life expectancy of patients. However, previous studies that have assessed the diagnostic sensitivities of the Awaji criteria (AC) and the revised El Escorial criteria (rEEC) in patients with ALS have been inconsistent, most of them were consensual regarding the advantage of Awaji over conventional criteria. Our study sought to compare the roles of AC and rEEC in the diagnosis of ALS. METHODS Data from a total of 294 consecutive patients with ALS were collected between January 2014 and August 2015 in the Peking Union Medical College Hospital. The clinical and electrophysiological records of 247 patients were eventually analyzed. The primary outcome measures were the sensitivities of the AC and rEEC for the diagnosis of ALS. RESULTS The sensitivity of probable or definite ALS as diagnosed with the AC (78%) was greater than that of the rEEC (36%, P <0.001). Following the application of the AC, 103 of the 147 patients categorized as probable ALS-laboratory supported from the rEEC were upgraded to probable or definite ALS, and 44 were downgraded to possible ALS. CONCLUSIONS Our data demonstrated that the AC exhibited greater diagnostic sensitivity than the rEEC in a Chinese ALS population. The use of the AC should be considered in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Da-Wei Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mingsheng Liu
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Bo Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jia Fang
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Yu-Zhou Guan
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Qingyun Ding
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaoguang Li
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Liying Cui
- Department of Neurology, Peking Union Medical College Hospital, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
- Neurosciences Center, Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, Beijing, China
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16
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Tsuji Y, Noto YI, Shiga K, Teramukai S, Nakagawa M, Mizuno T. A muscle ultrasound score in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2017; 128:1069-1074. [PMID: 28343888 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2017.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/17/2016] [Revised: 02/03/2017] [Accepted: 02/19/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE The aims of this study are to elucidate the frequencies and distribution of fasciculations using muscle ultrasound in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) and those with other conditions mimicking ALS, and subsequently to develop a novel fasciculation score for the diagnosis of ALS. METHODS Ultrasound of 21 muscles was performed to detect fasciculations in 36 consecutive patients suspected of having ALS. We developed a fasciculation ultrasound score that indicated the number of muscles with fasciculations in statistically selected muscles. RESULTS A total of 525 muscles in 25 ALS patients and 231 in 11 non-ALS patients were analysed. Using relative operating characteristic and multivariate logistic regression analysis, we selected the trapezius, deltoid, biceps brachii, abductor pollicis brevis, abdominal, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, biceps femoris, and gastrocnemius muscles for the fasciculation ultrasound score. The mean scores were higher in the ALS group than those in the non-ALS group (5.3±0.5vs. 0.3±0.7) (mean±SD); p<0.001. CONCLUSIONS Two or more of the fasciculation ultrasound scores showed high sensitivity and specificity in differentiating ALS patients from non-ALS patients. SIGNIFICANCE The fasciculation ultrasound score can be a simple and useful diagnostic marker of ALS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukiko Tsuji
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Yu-Ichi Noto
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan.
| | - Kensuke Shiga
- Department of Medical Education and Primary Care, Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Satoshi Teramukai
- Department of Biostatistics, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Masanori Nakagawa
- North Medical Center, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Toshiki Mizuno
- Department of Neurology, Graduate School of Medical Science, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
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17
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New insights into the clinical neurophysiological assessment of ALS. Neurophysiol Clin 2016; 46:157-63. [PMID: 27364772 DOI: 10.1016/j.neucli.2016.05.070] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/17/2016] [Revised: 05/25/2016] [Accepted: 05/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
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Bicchi I, Emiliani C, Vescovi A, Martino S. The Big Bluff of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis Diagnosis: The Role of Neurodegenerative Disease Mimics. NEURODEGENER DIS 2015; 15:313-21. [PMID: 26227992 DOI: 10.1159/000435917] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/03/2014] [Accepted: 06/12/2015] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases include a significant number of pathologies affecting the nervous system. Generally, the primary cause of each disease is specific; however, recently, it was shown that they may be correlated at molecular level. This aspect, together with the exhibition of similar symptoms, renders the diagnosis of these disorders difficult. Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis is one of these pathologies. Herein, we report several cases of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis misdiagnosed as a consequence of features that are common to several neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's, Huntington's and Alzheimer's disease, spinal muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar palsy, spastic paraplegia and frontotemporal dementia, and mostly with the lysosomal storage disorder GM2 gangliosidosis. Overall reports highlight that the differential diagnosis for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis should include correlated mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ilaria Bicchi
- Department of Chemistry, Biology and Biotechnologies, University of Perugia, Perugia, Italy
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19
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Jokela ME, Jääskeläinen SK, Sandell S, Palmio J, Penttilä S, Saukkonen A, Soikkeli R, Udd B. Spontaneous activity in electromyography may differentiate certain benign lower motor neuron disease forms from amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Neurol Sci 2015; 355:143-6. [PMID: 26059445 DOI: 10.1016/j.jns.2015.06.002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2015] [Revised: 05/14/2015] [Accepted: 06/01/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
There is limited data on electromyography (EMG) findings in other motor neuron disorders than amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). We assessed whether the distribution of active denervation detected by EMG, i.e. fibrillations and fasciculations, differs between ALS and slowly progressive motor neuron disorders. We compared the initial EMG findings of 43 clinically confirmed, consecutive ALS patients with those of 41 genetically confirmed Late-onset Spinal Motor Neuronopathy and 14 Spinal and Bulbar Muscular Atrophy patients. Spontaneous activity was more frequently detected in the first dorsal interosseus and deltoid muscles of ALS patients than in patients with the slowly progressive motor neuron diseases. The most important observation was that absent fibrillations in the first dorsal interosseus muscle identified the benign forms with sensitivities of 66%-77% and a specificity of 93%. The distribution of active denervation may help to separate ALS from mimicking disorders at an early stage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Manu E Jokela
- Division of Clinical Neurosciences, Turku University Hospital, and University of Turku, Turku, Finland, Kiinamyllynkatu 4-8, 20520 Turku, Finland.
| | - Satu K Jääskeläinen
- Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Turku University Hospital and University of Turku, Turku, Finland
| | - Satu Sandell
- Department of Neurology, Seinäjoki Central Hospital, Seinäjoki, Finland
| | - Johanna Palmio
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University Hospital and University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland
| | - Sini Penttilä
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Annamaija Saukkonen
- Department of Neurology, Central Hospital of Northern Karelia, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Raija Soikkeli
- Department of Neurophysiology, Central Hospital of Northern Karelia, Joensuu, Finland
| | - Bjarne Udd
- Neuromuscular Research Center, Tampere University and Hospital, Tampere, Finland
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Menon P, Geevasinga N, Yiannikas C, Howells J, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Sensitivity and specificity of threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation for diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a prospective study. Lancet Neurol 2015; 14:478-84. [PMID: 25843898 DOI: 10.1016/s1474-4422(15)00014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 138] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2014] [Revised: 01/28/2015] [Accepted: 03/10/2015] [Indexed: 01/12/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) remains problematic, with substantial diagnostic delays. We assessed the sensitivity and specificity of a threshold tracking transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) technique, which might allow early detection of upper motor neuron dysfunction, for the diagnosis of the disorder. METHODS We did a prospective study of patients referred to three neuromuscular centres in Sydney, Australia, in accordance with the Standards for Reporting of Diagnostic Accuracy. Participants had definite, probable, or possible ALS, as defined by the Awaji criteria; or pure motor disorder with clinical features of upper and lower motor neuron dysfunction in at least one body region, progressing over a 6 month follow-up period; or muscle wasting and weakness for at least 6 months. All patients underwent threshold tracking TMS at recruitment (index test), with application of the reference standard, the Awaji criteria, to differentiate patients with ALS from those with non-ALS disorders. The investigators who did the index test were masked to the results of the reference test and all other investigations. The primary outcome measures were the sensitivity and specificity of TMS in differentiating ALS from non-ALS disorders; these measures were derived from receiver operator curve analysis. FINDINGS Between Jan 1, 2010, and March 1, 2014, we screened 333 patients; 281 met our inclusion criteria. We eventually diagnosed 209 patients with ALS and 68 with non-ALS disorders; the diagnosis of four patients was inconclusive. The threshold tracking TMS technique differentiated ALS from non-ALS disorders with a sensitivity of 73·21% (95% CI 66·66-79·08) and specificity of 80·88% (69·53-89·40) at an early stage in the disease. All patients tolerated the study well, and we did not record any adverse events from performance of the index test. INTERPRETATION The threshold tracking TMS technique reliably distinguishes ALS from non-ALS disorders and, if these findings are replicated in larger studies, could represent a useful diagnostic investigation when combined with the Awaji criteria to prove upper motor neuron dysfunction at early stages of ALS. FUNDING Motor Neuron Disease Research Institute of Australia, National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, and Pfizer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathi Menon
- Derek Craig Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Nimeshan Geevasinga
- Derek Craig Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Con Yiannikas
- Westmead Hospital, Westmead, Royal North Shore Hospital, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - James Howells
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Matthew C Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Research Institute, Royal Prince Alfred Hospital, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Derek Craig Motor Neuron Disease Research Centre, Western Clinical School, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia; Department of Neurology, University of Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Jang JS, Bae JS. AWAJI criteria are not always superior to the previous criteria: A meta-analysis. Muscle Nerve 2015; 51:822-9. [DOI: 10.1002/mus.24575] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/15/2014] [Revised: 12/29/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Jae-Sik Jang
- Department of Medicine; Inje University College of Medicine; Busan Korea
- University of Missouri-Kansas City; Kansas City Missouri USA
| | - Jong Seok Bae
- Department of Neurology, Kangdong Sacred Heart Hospital; Hallym University College of Medicine; 150 Seongan-ro, Gangdong-gu, Seoul 134-701 Seoul Korea
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22
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Jahanmiri-Nezhad F, Li X, Barkhaus PE, Rymer WZ, Zhou P. A clinically applicable approach for detecting spontaneous action potential spikes in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with a linear electrode array. J Clin Neurophysiol 2014; 31:35-40. [PMID: 24492444 DOI: 10.1097/01.wnp.0000436896.02502.31] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Examination of spontaneous muscle activity is an important part of the routine electromyogram (EMG) in assessing neuromuscular diseases. The EMG is specifically valuable as a diagnostic test in supporting the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. High-density surface EMG is a relatively new technique that has until now been used in research but has the potential for clinical application. This study presents a simple high-density surface EMG method for automatic detection of spontaneous action potentials from surface electrode array recordings of patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. To reduce computational complexity while maintaining useful information from the electrode array recording, the multichannel high-density surface EMG was transferred to single-dimensional data by calculating the maximum difference across all channels of the electrode array. A spike detection threshold was then set in the single-dimensional domain to identify the firing times of each spontaneous action potential spike, whereas a spike extraction threshold was used to define the onset and offset of the spontaneous spikes. These data were used to extract the spontaneous spike waveforms from the electrode array EMG. A database of detected spontaneous spikes was thus obtained, including their waveforms, on all channels along with their corresponding firing times. This newly developed method makes use of the information from different channels of the electrode array EMG recording. It also has the primary feature of being simple and fast in implementation, with convenient parameter adjustment and user-computer interaction. Hence, it has good possibilities for clinical application.
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Affiliation(s)
- Faezeh Jahanmiri-Nezhad
- *Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.; †Department of Bioengineering, University of Illinois, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.; ‡Department of Neurology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, U.S.A.; §Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois, U.S.A.; and ‖Institute of Biomedical Engineering, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, China
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23
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Zhang X, Chen X, Barkhaus PE, Zhou P. Multiscale entropy analysis of different spontaneous motor unit discharge patterns. IEEE J Biomed Health Inform 2014; 17:470-6. [PMID: 24235117 DOI: 10.1109/jbhi.2013.2241071] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This study explores a novel application of multiscale entropy (MSE) analysis for characterizing different patterns of spontaneous electromyogram (EMG) signals including sporadic, tonic and repetitive spontaneous motor unit discharges, and normal surface EMG baseline. Two algorithms for MSE analysis, namely, the standard MSE and the intrinsic mode entropy (IMEn) (based on the recently developed multivariate empirical mode decomposition method), were applied to different patterns of spontaneous EMG. Significant differences were observed in multiple scales of the standard MSE and IMEn analyses (<;i>p<;/i> <; 0.001) for any two of the spontaneous EMG patterns, while such significance may not be observed from the single-scale entropy analysis. Compared to the standard MSE, the IMEn analysis facilitates usage of a relatively low scale number to discern entropy difference among various patterns of spontaneous EMG signals. The findings from this study contribute to our understanding of the nonlinear dynamic properties of different spontaneous EMG patterns, which may be related to spinal motoneuron or motor unit health.
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24
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Geevasinga N, Menon P, Yiannikas C, Kiernan MC, Vucic S. Diagnostic utility of cortical excitability studies in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Eur J Neurol 2014; 21:1451-7. [DOI: 10.1111/ene.12422] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2013] [Accepted: 02/24/2014] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- N. Geevasinga
- Westmead Clinical School; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - P. Menon
- Westmead Clinical School; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - C. Yiannikas
- Department of Neurology; Concord Hospital; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - M. C. Kiernan
- Brain and Mind Research Institute; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
| | - S. Vucic
- Westmead Clinical School; University of Sydney; Sydney NSW Australia
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Menon P, Vucic S. Utility of dissociated intrinsic hand muscle atrophy in the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. J Vis Exp 2014:51056. [PMID: 24637778 PMCID: PMC4123526 DOI: 10.3791/51056] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/31/2022] Open
Abstract
The split hand phenomenon refers to predominant wasting of thenar muscles and is an early and specific feature of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). A novel split hand index (SI) was developed to quantify the split hand phenomenon, and its diagnostic utility was assessed in ALS patients. The split hand index was derived by dividing the product of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude recorded over the abductor pollicis brevis and first dorsal interosseous muscles by the CMAP amplitude recorded over the abductor digiti minimi muscle. In order to assess the diagnostic utility of the split hand index, ALS patients were prospectively assessed and their results were compared to neuromuscular disorder patients. The split hand index was significantly reduced in ALS when compared to neuromuscular disorder patients (P<0.0001). Limb-onset ALS patients exhibited the greatest reduction in the split hand index, and a value of 5.2 or less reliably differentiated ALS from other neuromuscular disorders. Consequently, the split hand index appears to be a novel diagnostic biomarker for ALS, perhaps facilitating an earlier diagnosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Parvathi Menon
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia
| | - Steve Vucic
- Department of Neurology, Westmead Hospital; Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Australia;
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Gawel M, Kuzma-Kozakiewicz M, Szmidt-Salkowska E, Kamińska A. Are we really closer to improving the diagnostic sensitivity in ALS patients with Awaji criteria? Amyotroph Lateral Scler Frontotemporal Degener 2014; 15:257-61. [DOI: 10.3109/21678421.2014.887118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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27
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Sekiguchi T, Kanouchi T, Shibuya K, Noto YI, Yagi Y, Inaba A, Abe K, Misawa S, Orimo S, Kobayashi T, Kamata T, Nakagawa M, Kuwabara S, Mizusawa H, Yokota T. Spreading of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis lesions--multifocal hits and local propagation? J Neurol Neurosurg Psychiatry 2014; 85:85-91. [PMID: 24027298 DOI: 10.1136/jnnp-2013-305617] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To investigate whether or not the lesions in sporadic amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) originate from a single focal onset site and spread contiguously by prion-like cell-to-cell propagation in the rostrocaudal direction along the spinal cord, as has been hypothesised (the 'single seed and simple propagation' hypothesis). METHODS Subjects included 36 patients with sporadic ALS and initial symptoms in the bulbar, respiratory or upper limb regions. Abnormal spontaneous activities in needle electromyography (nEMG)-that is, fibrillation potentials, positive sharp waves (Fib/PSWs) or fasciculation potentials (FPs)-were compared among the unilateral muscles innervated by different spinal segments, especially between the T10 and L5 paraspinal muscles, and between the vastus medialis and biceps femoris. Axon length and the proportion of muscle fibre types, which are both related to motoneuronal vulnerability in ALS, are similar in the paired muscles. RESULTS Fourteen of 36 patients showed a non-contiguous distribution of nEMG abnormalities from the onset site, with skipping of intermediate segments. In eight of them, the non-contiguous pattern was evident between paired muscles with the same motoneuronal vulnerability. The non-contiguously affected lumbosacral lesions involved motoneuron columns horizontally or radially proximate to one another, appearing to form a cluster in four of the eight patients. FPs, known to precede Fib/PSWs, were shown more frequently than Fib/PSWs in all the lumbosacral segments but L5, suggesting that 2nd hits occur at L5 and then spread to other lumbosacral segments. CONCLUSIONS In sporadic ALS, the distribution of lower motoneuron involvement cannot be explained by the 'single seed and simple propagation' hypothesis alone. We propose a 'multifocal hits and local propagation' hypothesis instead.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teruhiko Sekiguchi
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Science, Graduate School, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, , Tokyo, Japan
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[Electrodiagnostic criteria for early diagnosis of bulbar-onset ALS: a comparison of El Escorial, revised El Escorial and Awaji algorithm]. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 170:134-9. [PMID: 24239347 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2013.10.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2012] [Revised: 03/03/2013] [Accepted: 10/14/2013] [Indexed: 11/24/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Diagnosis of bulbar ALS is difficult at the early stage of the disease. According to guidelines, early diagnosis is better in view to optimize the management of affected patients. To improve the sensitivity without losing specificity of the prior criteria, the Board of Awaji has proposed modified electrodiagnostic criteria for ALS. The aim of this study was to evaluate the contribution of needle electromyography in early diagnosis of bulbar ALS by comparing the El Escorial criteria (EEC), Revised El Escorial Criteria (R-EEC) and Awaji algorithm (AA). METHODS In a retrospective study, we analysed clinical and electrophysiological data of 46 patients followed in our center for a bulbar-onset ALS seen for the first time between January 2007 and February 2011. All these patients had bulbar-onset ALS probable or certain at the last follow-up. All data were collected during the first clinical examination and the first electrophysiological study. RESULTS Mean age of the population was 69 (37-90years, sex ratio: 0.91). Using the EEC, 9 patients were diagnosed as definite or probable ALS at the first consultation. Applying the R-EEC, 13 patients were diagnosed as definite or probable ALS and using the AA, 23 patients were diagnosed as definite or probable ALS. The sensitivity of the EEC was 19.5%, the R-EEC was 28.2% and for AA was 49.98%. CONCLUSION AA are more sensitive in early diagnosis of bulbar ALS compared to R-EEC with the contribution of ENMG and when fasciculations are considered as evidence of spontaneous activity. Such an approach can contribute to accelerate an optimal management of the disease. AA are a breakthrough in the diagnosis of ALS especially in the bulbar-onset forms.
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Les critères d’Awaji : les nouveaux critères diagnostiques de la sclérose latérale amyotrophique. Rev Neurol (Paris) 2013; 169:470-5. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neurol.2012.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/04/2012] [Accepted: 10/22/2012] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
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Løseth S, Torbergsen T. [Electromyography (EMG) and neurography in patients with severe neuromuscular diseases]. TIDSSKRIFT FOR DEN NORSKE LEGEFORENING 2013; 133:174-8. [PMID: 23344603 DOI: 10.4045/tidsskr.12.0184] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/02/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Many neuromuscular diseases are potentially severe, and EMG and neurography are methods used in the assessment of these conditions. METHOD The article is based on the authors' knowledge and experience, with special emphasis on the use of these methods in the assessment of severe diseases affecting striated muscle and peripheral nerves. A PubMed search was performed with the cut-off fifteen years back in time, and in addition a discretionary selection was made of articles known to the authors. RESULTS EMG is the most valuable method for assessing myopathy, and neurography provides most information about neuropathy, but the methods are complementary. These examinations are the most sensitive for diagnosing some conditions (for example myasthaenia) A high level of expertise is necessary for diagnosing these conditions. INTERPRETATION EMG and neurography are important and often necessary means of assessing patients with severe neuromuscular disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sissel Løseth
- Nevrologisk- og nevrofysiologisk avdeling, Universitetssykehuset Nord-Norge, Norway.
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Zhou P, Li X, Jahanmiri-Nezhad F, Rymer WZ, Barkhaus PE. Duration of observation required in detecting fasciculation potentials in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis using high-density surface EMG. J Neuroeng Rehabil 2012; 9:78. [PMID: 23046668 PMCID: PMC3507914 DOI: 10.1186/1743-0003-9-78] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/12/2011] [Accepted: 10/04/2012] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Background High-density surface electromyography (HD-SEMG) has recently emerged as a potentially useful tool in the evaluation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). This study addresses a practical constraint that arises when applying HD-SEMG for supporting the diagnosis of ALS; specifically, how long the surface EMG should be recorded before one can be confident that fasciculation potentials (FPs) are absent in a muscle being tested. Methods HD-SEMG recordings of 29 muscles from 11 ALS patients were analyzed. We used the distribution of intervals between FPs, and estimated the observation duration needed to record from one to five FPs with a probability approaching unity. Such an approach was previously tested by Mills with a concentric needle electrode. Results We found that the duration of recording was up to 70 s in order to record a single FP with a probability approaching unity. Increasing recording time to 2 minutes, the probability of recording five FPs approached approximately 0.95. Conclusions HD-SEMG appears to be a suitable method for capturing FPs comparable to intramuscular needle EMG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ping Zhou
- Sensory Motor Performance Program, Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago, 345 E, Superior St, Suite 1406, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Split-hand index for the diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. Clin Neurophysiol 2012; 124:410-6. [PMID: 23017503 DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2012.07.025] [Citation(s) in RCA: 86] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2012] [Revised: 07/24/2012] [Accepted: 07/25/2012] [Indexed: 11/22/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Preferential wasting of the thenar group of muscles, the split hand sign, appears to be a specific feature of ALS. The present study developed a novel split-hand index (SI) and assessed its diagnostic utility in ALS. METHODS One hundred and seventy consecutive patients with neuromuscular symptoms (44 ALS, 126 patients with other neuromuscular disorders) were prospectively recruited according to standards for reporting of diagnostic accuracy (STARD) criteria. The SI was derived by dividing the product of the compound muscle action potential (CMAP) amplitude recorded over the first dorsal interosseous and abductor pollicis brevis by the CMAP amplitude recorded over the abductor digiti minimi. RESULTS The SI was significantly reduced in ALS patients (ALS 3.5 ± 0.6; patients with other neuromuscular disorders 9.1 ± 0.3, P < 0.0001), particularly in limb-onset ALS (2.3 ± 0.5, P < 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that SI reliably differentiated ALS from patients with other neuromuscular disorders (area under curve ALS 0.83, P < 0.0001) with an optimal SI cut-off value of 5.2 exhibiting a sensitivity of 74% and specificity 80%. CONCLUSIONS The split-hand index robustly differentiates ALS from mimic disorders. SIGNIFICANCE The split-hand index is a simple measure that could be utilized in a standard neurophysiology setting. A reduction in SI distinguishes ALS from mimic disorders, potentially facilitating an earlier diagnosis of ALS.
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Dengler R. El Escorial or Awaji Criteria in ALS diagnosis, what should we take? Clin Neurophysiol 2012; 123:217-8. [DOI: 10.1016/j.clinph.2011.06.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2011] [Accepted: 06/16/2011] [Indexed: 11/27/2022]
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