Evidence map›Paper›PMID 33355881›Full record

ArticleJournal of neurology2021

One nerve suffices: A clinically guided nerve ultrasound protocol for the differentiation of multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN) and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

Kai F Loewenbrück, Robin Werner, René Günther, Markus Dittrich, Robert Klingenberger, Heinz Reichmann, Alexander Storch, Andreas Hermann

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in Journal of neurology, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
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  3. Observational
  4. Article
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  6. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Kai F LoewenbrückDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany. kai.loewenbrueck@uniklinikum-dresden.de.
Robin WernerDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
René GüntherDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Markus DittrichDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Robert KlingenbergerDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Heinz ReichmannDepartment of Neurology, Technische Universität Dresden, Fetscherstrasse 74, 01307, Dresden, Germany.
Alexander StorchDepartment of Neurology, University of Rostock, 18147, Rostock, Germany.
Andreas HermannGerman Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Rostock/Greifswald, 18147, Rostock, Germany.

Funding

Bundesministerium für Bildung, Wissenschaft, Forschung und Technologie 03WKBH2F
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectiveTo investigate diagnostic accuracy of a nerve ultrasound (US) protocol that is individualized to a patient's clinical deficits for the differentiation of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis with predominant lower motoneuron disease (ALS/LMND) and multifocal motor neuropathy (MMN).

methodsSingle-center, prospective, examiner-blinded, diagnostic study in two cohorts. Cohort I (model development): Convenience sample of subjects with ALS/LMND or MMN according to revised El-Escorial or EFNS guidelines. Cohort II (model validation): Consecutively recruited treatment-naïve subjects with suspected diagnosis of ALS/LMND or MMN. Cutoffs for 28 different US values were determined by Receiver Operating Curve (ROC) in cohort I. Area Under The Curve (AUC) of US was compared to nerve conduction studies (NCS). Diagnostic accuracy of US protocols, individualized according to clinical deficits, was compared to former rigid non-individualized protocols and to random examination site selection in cohort II.

results48 patients were recruited. In cohort I (28 patients), US had higher ROC AUCs than NCS, US 0.82 (0.12) (mean (standard deviation)), NCS (compound muscle action potential (CMAP) 0.60 (0.09), p < .001; two-sided t-test). US models based on the nerve innervating the clinically most affected muscles had higher correct classification rates (CCRs, 93%) in cohort II than former rigid protocols (85% and 80%), or models with random measurement site selection (66% and 80%).

conclusionsClinically guided US protocols for differentiation of ALS/LMND from MMN increase diagnostic accuracy when compared to clinically unguided protocols. They also require less measurements sites to achieve this accuracy.

Indexed as

Amyotrophic Lateral SclerosisPolyneuropathiesHumansNeural ConductionProspective StudiesUltrasonographyAlsDiagnosisMmnNerve conduction studiesNerve ultrasound

Identifiers

PMID33355881
PMCPMC7990818

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.