Evaluation of prognosis of neurogenic eye movement paralysis by electromyography

Abstract

A recording of a single NMU discharge of the human extraocular muscle is suitable for obtaining information about several muscle fibers together with the activity of their original motoneuron in eye movement disorders.

Neurogenic extraocular muscle paralysis in 46 cases was analysed by a single NMU discharge recorded by EMG examination. One of the most important electromyographical findings in anticipating recovery was the regularity of a single NMU discharge. Regularity was recognized about one week after the onset of incomplete paralysis and about three weeks after the onset of complete paralysis. Good recovery can be expected when the regularity of the single NMU discharge is recognized three to four weeks after onset and the discharge rate has increased in the intact eye even when the paralysed muscle did not show any clinical movement. The prognosis is poor when regularity is not recognized in the paralysed muscle about four weeks after onset.

Key Words:

• single NMU discharge
• regularity
• prognosis
• neurogenic eye movement paralysis