Specific processing of the spontaneous EMG. Detection and classification of multiplets using self-organizing neural networks

To the authors´ knowledge, their study is the first approach to a quantitative study of spontaneous EMG. Using the given algorithm, the spontaneous EMG firing that occurs in spasmophilia has been studied on a quantitative basis, and clinical preliminary results have confirmed it as a useful tool to make the diagnostic process more sensitive, and to help in the quantitative analysis concerning clinical correlation with different pathologies. After a classification of the multiplets is performed, the final maps may be used, together with other clinical and paraclinical data, as tools the clinician may rely on in monitoring the patient´s status and eventual effects of therapy. In a study on thyroidian pathology with signs of spontaneous EMG activity where 41 subjects were investigated, the program based on the authors´ algorithm allowed the dynamic quantitative monitoring of the impact of the modifications of the plasmatic concentration of the thyroidian hormones on the P-Ca metabolism in order to properly initiate and conduct the therapy. The authors´ quantitative approach seems promising for further use in clinical practice; it is a distinct noninvasive quantitative EMG examination that can be used by the physician in conjunction with other laboratory and clinical data