Advanced Electromyography and Clinical Neuromuscular Disease

Through our advanced elective, you will observe and learn from our expert neuromuscular specialists, as you develop expertise related to:

• current, state-of-the-art treatment and management options for neuromuscular disorders
  
• expanded neuromuscular differential diagnoses
• examination of the muscular and peripheral nervous system in the context of a neurological examination

You can pursue your interest in electromyography and build on your prior experience as you learn:

• to independently synthesize an impression of electromyography findings
  
• to localize a lesion of the brachial plexus
• to diagnose and describe a neuromuscular junction defect and understand how it differs from myasthenia gravis and Lambert Eaton syndrome

You will further develop your needle electromyography and electrodiagnostic interpretation skills while preparing for certification by the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine (ABEM).

Each week brings a variety of experiences at diverse community hospital and outpatient clinic settings, encompassing:

• specialized Muscular Dystrophy Association clinics in both a comprehensive urban medical center and a women and children’s hospital – 1/2 day
• a regional hospital serving veterans – 3 half-days
• our outpatient neurology clinic  – 3 half-days
  

You may observe interactions between our expert staff and their patients. You may choose to observe specialized clinics and procedures, including:

• multidisciplinary ALS clinic
• peripheral nerve clinic
• skin, nerve and muscle biopsies

You also will have the opportunity to learn skin biopsy techniques.

You may, if schedules allow, perform initial histories and examinations, present cases to staff and follow through with clinical work-ups and follow-up care.

You also may perform interval histories and examine select established patients.

Along with our neuromuscular specialists, you will see patients one-half day each week.

With our expert guidance, you will gain competence by performing:

• at least 10 accurate nerve conduction studies
• at least one needle electrode exam per day
• 200 studies to meet ABEM certification requirements

Through our comprehensive didactic training, including an EMG case conference and neuromuscular conference, you will gain an in-depth understanding of:

• the pathophysiology of neuromuscular disorders, such as polyneuropathy, ALS, myasthenia gravis and myopathy
• peripheral nerve and muscle anatomical concepts

You will encounter a diverse patient population, similar to what you experienced in your initial, required electromyography and neuromuscular rotation.

• neuromuscular specialists
• neuromuscular fellows
• EMG technicians

3 months

• after completion of basic observational electromyography rotation
  
• with permission of neuromuscular section head