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14 - Peripheral Nervous System and Neuromuscular Disorders

from SECTION III - SPECIFIC NEUROLOGICAL CONDITIONS

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  06 August 2009

By
John J. Wald  and
James W. Albers
Edited by
Sid M. Shah  and
Kevin M. Kelly
John J. Wald
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
James W. Albers
Affiliation:
Department of Neurology University of Michigan Ann Arbor, Michigan
Sid M. Shah
Affiliation:
Michigan State University
Kevin M. Kelly
Affiliation:
Drexel University, Philadelphia
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Summary

The hallmarks of peripheral nervous system (PNS) disorders and neuromuscular diseases are weakness, numbness, or pain. Acute exacerbation of a neuromuscular disorder can have a rapid transition from unlabored breathing to decompensation and hypoventilation because of muscular fatigue or with aspiration of oral secretions in patients with marginal ventilatory function. Strength testing is performed by assessing the power of several proximal and distal muscle groups and by noting patterns of weakness and asymmetry. Numbness indicates the need for sensory testing to determine the patient's ability to perceive sensory stimuli. Deep tendon reflex (DTR) loss that is asymmetrical or focal in the distribution of one or several nerve root(s) or specific nerve(s) suggests localized disease. This chapter discusses disorders involving nerve roots, mixed nerves, peripheral nerves, disorders of neuromuscular transmission, disorders involving muscle and muscle function and motor neuron disease.

Keywords

deep tendon reflexmixed nervemotor neuronsmuscular fatigueperipheral nerveneuromuscular disorderperipheral nervous systemnerve root
Type
Chapter
Information
Principles and Practice of Emergency Neurology
Handbook for Emergency Physicians
 , pp. 161 - 174
Publisher: Cambridge University Press
Print publication year: 2003

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