Chapter 1 Clinical Principles in the Diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disorders
Elsevier, 2003
Online
unknown
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Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the clinical approach to the diagnosis of motor neuron disorders. If current clinical trials identify a more effective therapy, early diagnosis will become an essential part of good clinical management. Their history, including the descriptions of fasciculations, spasms and cramps, and weakness and wasting, is essential for the diagnosis. Description of the most essential feature—progression of the cardinal features of the disease—is entirely dependent on the history. The presence of any phase of minor improvement in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is exceptional, although some variation in function in individual muscle groups may occur. Once this has been established, the diagnosis rests on firmer ground, provided that no other inconsistent features, such as prominent pain, sensory loss, or sphincter involvement, become evident as the disease progresses. The examination, as in any neurological disease, is a snapshot of the disease at the time of the assessment. Investigation is designed to exclude other diseases and therefore includes neuroimaging, a number of biochemical and hematological tests, and an electromyography (EMG) to ascertain the extent of lower motor neuron (LMN) involvement.
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Chapter 1 Clinical Principles in the Diagnosis of Motor Neuron Disorders
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Autor/in / Beteiligte Person: | Swash, Michael |
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Veröffentlichung: | Elsevier, 2003 |
Medientyp: | unknown |
DOI: | 10.1016/s1877-3419(09)70102-3 |
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