ANATOMICAL GUIDE FOR THE ELECTROMYOGRAPHER

Book excerpt: This invaluable book for the electromyographer dispenses the latest techniques detailing methods of intramuscular electrode placement. The author examines the basic principles in electromyography (EMG) and includes updated information for the appendicular and axial muscles. It is divided into 14 sections organized by anatomical region: the muscles of the hand, forearm, arm, shoulder girdle, foot, leg, thigh, pelvis, hip joint, perineal region, paraspinal region, abdominal wall, the intercostals and diaphragm regions, along with the muscles innervated by cranial nerves. This information includes the innervations and attachments of each muscle, how to position the patient for examination, the appropriate site for insertion of the electrode, the depth of insertion for the electrode, and the action that the patient should perform to activate the muscle. The descriptions of the techniques used for rarely examined muscles are sufficient for a clinician to have the confidence needed to perform the procedure. Common errors in electrode placement and clinically relevant comments are illustrated and discussed, including cross-sectional illustrations on the appendicular muscles. A particularly useful inclusion is “Pitfalls” that describes which muscle the electrode will record if the needle is placed too deep, not deep enough, or not at the location described. The text contains a useful appendix, providing dermatomes of the limb and trunk, cutaneous innervations of the head, and excellent illustrations of both the brachial plexus and the lumbo-sacral-coccygeal plexus. The appendix also contains a useful table listing all muscles that are presented in the text with innervations from the peripheral nerve to the mixed spinal nerve root. Well organized, clearly and concisely written, this book remains a learning tool and excellent reference for electromyographers and for healthcare practitioners who are expanding their practice skills to include diagnostic EMG, as well as for graduate students who use EMG as part of their research.