Clinical Electromyography : Nerve Conduction Studies

Tonya F. Fuller

Although this second edition book is entitled Clinical Electromyography, it is solely a book on nerve conduction studies. The purpose is to describe new and more sophisticated nerve conduction techniques and to provide refined descriptions of more standard conduction techniques. On the more standard techniques, emphasis is placed on detailed anatomical and technical tips for better performance of the nerve conduction tests. There is also presentation of the magnetic and the high-voltage low-impedence electrical testing. According to the author, this book is written for clinical electromyographers. In my judgment, it is appropriate not only for established electromyographers, but also for neurology residents and fellows training in electrophysiology. This book contains many useful illustrations, drawings, and tables that are appropriately placed throughout the text. There is an entire chapter with tables of normal values for specific nerve conduction tests. The majority of the references are up-to-date and pertinent to the specific topics. The book is divided into two sections, basic and advanced, and the appropriate chapters are listed under each section. The overall appearance of the book is excellent. This is a very useful book on nerve conduction studies that should be read by electromyographers, neurology residents, and fellows who perform nerve conduction studies in their practice. It would also be helpful to have on hand for quick reference in neurophysiology laboratories. It is an excellent follow-up to the first edition in that it includes up-to-date chapters on newer nerve conduction techniques as well as many more clinically oriented chapters.

Booknews

An encyclopedic reference for electromyographers and EMG technologists. This revised edition (1st, 1984) adds descriptions of the new nerve conduction techniques; refinement of the descriptions of the older techniques with more detailed anatomical and technical tips for better performance of the tests; discussions of the more sophisticated tests, such as the refractory period or reflex test; presentation of the magnetic and the HLVI electrical stimulation techniques; and more comprehensive clinical coordination with the nerve conduction in the disease states, including neuropathies in AIDS, Lyme disease, and many immunologically mediated neuropathies. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

From The Critics

Reviewer: Roland Brilla, MD(University of Illinois at Chicago College of Medicine)
Description: This book describes principles and common and uncommon techniques and findings in diseases of the PNS in great detail and accuracy, based on a thorough review of the literature including the most recent. Parts of the book can be used as an atlas for practical/technical matters, while other parts serve as an excellent in depth-reference for the interpretation of NCS.
Purpose: The purpose — to help "electromyographers who aspire to provide excellent nerve conduction studies" is fully met. One could add that it would be highly desirable to have a resource of similar quality and format that would at the same time cover needle EMG.
Audience: This book is written for clinician-electromyographers, and of course also addresses fellows and residents with an interest in EMG. It may be too detail-oriented and voluminous to use it as the very first introduction to EMG (e.g., for junior residents), but it certainly is an excellent book for all other electromyographers, from beginners to very advanced electromyographers.
Features: This book covers principles (including anatomy/physiology, technology), basic and advanced/uncommon techniques and a clinical section where NCV findings of most diseases of the PNS are discussed in detail. Some references are made to the needle exam (an important addition to the clinical section), but they are usually not detailed. The graphics and technical descriptions of nerve conduction studies are usually excellent and helpful.
Assessment: Dr. Oh's book is of excellent quality and accuracy, and it also is very readable. This third edition is a welcome update, ensuring an up-to-date reference for a vast field.

3 Stars from Doody