Nerve conduction study of the three supraclavicular nerve branches

: Carmen Martinez‐Aparicio, Satu K. Jääskeläinen, José M. Muyor, Björn Falck

Publisher: WILEY

: 2018

: Muscle and Nerve

: MUSCLE & NERVE

: MUSCLE NERVE

: 58

: 2

: 300

: 303

: 4

: 0148-639X

: 1097-4598

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/mus.26105

Introduction: We describe a new nerve conduction study technique with reference values for the 3 branches of the supraclavicular nerve (SCN) in young healthy subjects and application of it in 2 patients. Methods: The recording electrode was placed on the posterior border of the sternocleidomastoid muscle, 6-7cm from the sternoclavicular joint. SCN branches were stimulated below the clavicle, 2.5, 7, and 10.5cm lateral to the sternoclavicular joint. Results: Twenty healthy volunteers (10 men), 19-38 years, mean 25.9 years (SD 6.3), and 2 patients with SCN lesions were studied. The mean conduction velocities of the SCN branches were 70-78 m/s (SD 8-10 m/s), and amplitudes 3-4 mV (SD 0.9-2.0 mV). There were no side-to-side or gender differences. Discussion: The 3 SCN branches could be studied in all subjects. We provide reference values for young subjects. This new method was useful in verifying SCN lesions in 2 patients.