CLINICAL APPLICATION OF THE F-WAVE I. MEASUREMENT OF F-WAYE CONDUCTION VELOCITY (FWCV)
Measurement of motor nerve conduction velocity (MCV) and F-wave conduction velocity (FWCV) of the ulnar nerve were taken in each group of diseases, and the following results were obtained. 1. Normal values of MCV from wrist to elbow (W-E) was 57.4±3.9 m/sec (mean±SD), FWCV from wrist to spinal cord (W-C) 61.7±3.8 m/sec, and FWCV from elbow to spinal cord (E-C) 65.1 ±4.4 m/sec. 2. In the patients with Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS), MCV (W-E) proved to be 57.1 ±6.5 m/sec, FWCV (W-C) 52.0±4.8 m/sec, and FWCV (E-C) 48.5±7.2 m/sec, showing a significant slowing in the proximal segment. 3. In the patients with diabetes mellitus (DM), MCV (W-E) proved to be 50.0 ± 6.9 m/sec, FWCV (W-C) 50.8±6.1 m/sec, and FWCV (E-C) 51.8±6.8 m/sec, indicating the slowing in both distal and proximal segments. 4. In the patients with hematological disease, MCV (W-E) proved to be 51.3±6.7 m/sec, FWCV (W-C) 52.5±6.0 m/sec, and FWCV (E-C) 54.3±9.3 m/sec. 5. In the patients with other neurological diseases, the interesting findings were obtained. 6. FWCV reflects the behaviors of conduction velocity in the proximal segment of peripheral motor nerve, especially that in the radicular portion, and by comparing it with MCV (W-E) it is possible to clarify the level of lesion, and it serves as an aid to clarify the onset mechanism and disease condition of neuropathy in diseases of various kinds.
