Nerve conduction studies, electromyography and sympathetic skin response in Fabry's disease

J Neurol Sci. 2003 Oct 15;214(1-2):21-5. doi: 10.1016/s0022-510x(03)00172-2.

Abstract

We prospectively performed neurophysiologic studies in nine Fabry's Disease (FD) patients (8 male and 1 female) in order to describe the results of nerve conduction studies (NCS) and electromyography (EMG) and to verify whether the sympathetic skin response (SSR) is impaired in these patients. The investigation protocol included SSR, sensory and motor NCS and EMG. SSR was performed not only in FD patients, but also in 18 normal controls. All FD patients had normal nerve conduction studies and electromyography. SSR was present in all controls with a mean amplitude of 1453.6+/-682.3 microV. However, the SSR was absent in six and lower than 500 microV in the remaining FD patients. All patients had normal sensory and motor NCS and EMG. SSR, on the other hand, was significantly altered in all patients and this test could, therefore, be useful in the diagnostic evaluation of FD patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis
  • Autonomic Nervous System Diseases / physiopathology*
  • Electromyography
  • Fabry Disease / diagnosis
  • Fabry Disease / physiopathology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Muscle, Skeletal / innervation
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Neural Conduction / physiology
  • Peripheral Nerves / physiopathology*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Reaction Time / physiology
  • Reference Values
  • Reflex / physiology
  • Skin / innervation
  • Skin / physiopathology*
  • Sympathetic Fibers, Postganglionic / physiopathology*