Diagnostic Sensitivity of F-wave Parameters in Unilateral S1 Radiculopathy

Background: F-wave study, part of electrodiagnostic study, has had acontroversial sensitivity in the diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy.Objectives: We aimed to compare F wave parameters obtained from the tibialnerve of both extremities in patients with unilateral S1 radiculopathy.Materials and Methods: The study was done from March to September 2015in the Electrodiagnostic laboratory of an academic hospital affiliated to IsfahanUniversity of Medical Sciences. 19 consecutive patients with clinically andelectromyographically approved diagnosis of unilateral S1 radiculopathyentered the study. F-wave parameters (F minimum latency, F maximum latency,F chronodispersion and F persistence) were recorded from tibial nerve of bothextremities. Patients with diabetes, bilateral S1 radiculopathy or any otherdisease known to affect peripheral nerves were excluded from the study.Results: Of nineteen participants, 11 were men. Their mean±SD of age was46.6±13.7 years. There were no significant differences between mean of Fwave parameters recorded from affected and unaffected sides. Also, it wasshown that, there was a positive correlation between these parameters in twoextremities.Conclusion: The current study compared various F-wave parameters and theresults did not support employing F-wave study as a sensitive method fordetecting unilateral S1 radiculopathy.

Keywords:

Radiculopathy , Electrodiagnosis