• ULTRASONOGRAPHIC EVALUATION OF CERVICAL NERVE ROOTS IN ALS

    N. Takamatsu 1, H. Nodera 1, Y. Terasawa 1, A. Mori 1, M. Oda 2, Y. Izumi 1,2, R. Kaji 1
    1 Tokushima University Hospital – Tokushima, Japan,
    2 Vihara Hananosato Hospital – Miyoshi, Japan

    Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease mainly affecting the upper and lower motor neurons. Because reinnervation may preserve muscle strength and a motor action potential in its early stage, a sensitive measure to reflect the axon loss is needed for early diagnosis and follow-up. The aim of the study was to assess the degeneration of the nerve roots in ALS by ultrasonography.

    Material and Methods: Twenty-four patients (16 men, 60±11 years) who met the diagnostic criteria of ALS (Awaji criteria) and 20 normal control individuals (10 men, 50±8 years) received sonographic evaluation of the C6 root (more symptomatic side for ALS, left side for control). A cross-sectional area was evaluated and compared.