Muscle analysis

The overall goal of needle electromyography (EMG) is to evaluate the electrical field potentials of selected portions of the skeletal muscle at rest and during active voluntary muscle contraction. While the technical aspects of EMG are similar in children compared to adults, there are many details regarding the approach and data interpretation in pediatric studies that differ from those in adults. The general approach to the needle examination is well described in the literature. It is important to remember that EMG is intended to investigate lower motor neuron diseases. It can provide important diagnostic information that can help localize lesions within the peripheral nervous system. Although poor activation may indicate an upper motor neuron lesion, EMG should not be used to diagnose and/or localize lesions within the central nervous system. Needle EMG examination is typically normal or shows decreased activation in central nervous system diseases such as cerebral palsy.