Abstract
Electrodiagnostic techniques (EMG) are divided into 2 categories: 1) nerve conduction studies (NCS), and 2) needle electromyography (needle EMG). Currently, some medical centers do not perform needle EMG, for various reasons: Technical: a. Technical interference prevents the procedure from being performed. b. Plasma sterilization technique is not applied, so needles cannot be reused. Financial: The health insurance reimbursement rate for electrodiagnostic (EMG) procedures is too low, and the cost of EMG needles is not included in the pricing (since needle electrodes are not classified as consumable supplies), so healthcare facilities have no way to offset this cost—the more needle EMG is performed, the greater the financial loss. Psychological: Technicians who perform EMG infrequently tend to be reluctant to use needle EMG. Academic: Some hold the view that nerve conduction studies alone are sufficient to establish a diagnosis of neuromuscular disease. Among neuromuscular disorders, only a few conditions—such as carpal tunnel syndrome (95% can be identified using nerve conduction studies) and generalized myasthenia gravis (55–76% identified using repetitive nerve stimulation)—can be adequately diagnosed without needle EMG. For most other conditions, needle EMG is required to establish the diagnosis, particularly for early diagnosis, and to help determine the disease subtype/subgroup, severity, and prognosis of neuromuscular disease.
