Nerve Conduction Velocity Test
Alternate Names : NCV, Electroneurography, ENG, Nerve Conduction Studies, Stimulation Myelographic Study
What do the test results mean?
Normal results from a nerve conduction velocity test mean that there is no evidence of damage or disease in the peripheral nerve.
Nerve damage or disease may still exist despite normal NCV results. This is
because other healthy fibers in the same nerve may show a normal reaction time.
This test is often used in conjunction with electromyography (EMG) to evaluate neuromuscular abnormalities.
Abnormal results may depend on why the nerve conduction velocity test is being performed. These results
may indicate:
peripheral nerve injury or disease
carpal tunnel syndrome, a
condition in which pressure on the median nerve in the wrist leads to pain or numbness in the fingers
poliomyelitis, a condition that affects the spinal cord
diabetic neuropathy, which is temporary or permanent nerve damage due to diabetes
herniated disc, which causes pain in the back
myasthenia gravis, a disease that causes extreme muscle weakness and fatigue
Guillain-Barre syndrome, a
condition that causes nerve damage and inflammation, and muscle weakness and paralysis
damage to a nerve from trauma
nerve defects from kidney
disease or damage
chronic inflammatory polyneuropathy, which is the simultaneous malfunction of many peripheral nerves throughout the body. It can be caused by diabetes, chronic renal failure, or severe malnutrition.
metachromatic leukodystrophy, a very serious condition that causes
difficulty walking and difficulty controlling movements of the arms and
legs
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