Nerve
Conduction Velocity tests the peripheral nervous
system to the arms, legs, and face. This test
checks both sensory and motor nerve fibers.
Nerve conduction velocity 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 nerve conduction velocity
test differentiates inherited neuropathies such
as Charcot-Marie-Tooth and Dejerine-Sottas entrapment
neuropathies (avoiding multiple unnecessary
surgeries).
