Quantitation in EMG

The neuromuscular system may be affected by disorders of the central nervous system as well as other disorders affecting motoneurons, axons, neuromuscular transmission, the sarcolemmal membrane, the contractile elements and other components of the muscle fibers themselves. One or a combination of these possibilities can present in patients in the critical care unit. This paper reviews various qualitative and quantitative methods for assessing the various components of the peripheral contributions to the electrical and force output as well as the central motor drive to motoneurons. These methods all have their own strengths and weaknesses but many are complementary and together, can provide important diagnostic and prognostic information to guide management.