Utility of electrodiagnostic techniques in evaluating patients with suspected peroneal neuropathy: An evidence-based review

Christina Marciniak, MD, Carmel Armon, MD, MHS, John Wilson, MD, Robert Miller, MD
American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 2621 Superior Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901, USA

This article was prepared and reviewed by the AANEM and did not undergo the separate review process of Muscle & Nerve.

This summary is an educational effort of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM), formerly the American Association of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. It is based on a systematic review of the published scientific literature and assesses the usefulness of electrodiagnostic (EDX) techniques in the diagnosis of patients with peroneal neuropathy. The Peroneal Neuropathy Task Force of the AANEM was charged by the AANEM Board to perform a literature review in order to provide recommendations on the use of EDX studies in peroneal neuropathy.

Correspondence to: American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine, 2621 Superior Dr NW, Rochester, MN 55901, USA; e-mail: aanem@aanem.org

Keywords: compression neuropathies • deep peroneal neuropathy • electrodiagnostic • entrapment neuropathies • foot drop • mononeuritis • peroneal neuropathy • superficial peroneal neuropathy

Abstract

CLINICAL BACKGROUND METHODOLOGIC BACKGROUND METHODS RESULTS

An evidence-based review of electrodiagnostic (EDX) techniques in the evaluation of peroneal neuropathy was conducted to determine whether these techniques are useful for diagnosis and prognostication in this disorder. A Medline search and a review of relevant sources were performed in 1999 and updated through July 2003 to identify articles describing the use of EDX in patients suspected to have peroneal neuropathy. From the 499 articles identified, 112 articles describing motor and sensory nerve conduction studies and needle electromyography in peroneal neuropathy were reviewed in detail; 11 articles met the predetermined literature inclusion criteria for the adequacy of EDX techniques employed. Six articles provided Class III evidence in support of a role for nerve conduction studies in making the diagnosis of peroneal neuropathy; five articles provided Class IV evidence. Implicit in making the diagnosis were normal EDX findings outside the distribution of the peroneal nerve. The current literature supports the use of EDX in patients with suspected peroneal neuropathy (Level C recommendation). Muscle Nerve, 2005

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