EMG: axonal abnormality

What it means

Electromyographic (EMG) findings characteristic of axonal neuropathy, with normal or slightly decreased nerve conduction velocities, normal or slightly prolonged distal latencies, but significantly reduced motor potentials and sensory amplitudes. There may be spontaneous activity upon needle EMG studies, such as increased insertional activity, positive sharp waves, and fibrillation potentials.

This is a bundled term that is kept for convenience. It is preferable to record the precise clinical observations.

Rare diseases that can present with this5

The range is how often this sign appears among people diagnosed with each disease — it is not a probability of having any of them. Many of these signs also occur in common, non-rare conditions. A sign on this page is a conversation to have with a clinician, not a conclusion.

Part of the broader category