Nerve
Conduction Velocity or NCV tests the peripheral
nervous system to the arms, legs, and face.
This test checks both sensory and motor nerve
fibers. NCV studies diagnose different entrapment
neuropathies, such as carpal tunnel syndrome,
as well as ulnar, radial, peroneal, femoral,
posterior tibial, and peripheral neuropathies.
The test checks axonal loss, demyelination of
the peripheral nerves, and conduction blocks.
It is useful in diagnosing anterior horn cell
diseases, as seen in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,
and neuromuscular junction problems, such as
myasthenia gravis. The NCV test differentiates
inherited neuropathies such as Charcot-Marie-Tooth
and Dejerine-Sottas entrapment neuropathies
(avoiding multiple unnecessary surgeries).
