Neuropathies with prolonged conduction block, single and grouped fasciculations, localized limb myokymia

Abstract

Fourteen patients presented prolonged conduction block (CB) related to hereditary neuropathy with liability to pressure palsies (n = 7), neuropathy with proximal multifocal persistent CB (n = 2), radiation plexopathy (n = 3) and chronic acquired polyneuropathy (n = 2). All subjects presented both single and grouped fasciculation potentials that resulted in visible limb myokymia in 9 patients. This ectopic activity was recorded only in muscles affected by the CB, was more important in severe or complete CB, and often arose from terminal branches of blocked axons. These fasciculations and grouped fasciculations therefore appear to be causally related to the CB. In the presence of localized myokymia, a prolonged CB should be suspected.