Dr. Justin Willer interviews Dr. Kelly Gwathmey about her article, Sensory Neuronopathies. The sensory neuronopathies (or ganglionopathies) are a small subcategory of neuropathies characterized by primary degeneration of the dorsal root ganglia and trigeminal ganglion sensory neurons, resulting in a distinctive clinical presentation. Patients typically have subacute onset of asymmetric, non–length-dependent sensory impairment and early ataxia. The etiologies of acquired sensory neuronopathies are rather limited. Early identification is imperative, as they may herald an underlying malignancy or an autoimmune condition such as Sjögren syndrome. This podcast reviews the Muscle and Nerve article on this subject. Muscle Nerve 53: 8–19, 2016.

Mutations in SEPT9 Cause Heredic Neuralgic Amyotrophy by Phillip Chance, MD and Mark Hannibal, MD

Dr. Stephen Goutman interviews Drs. Pushpa Narayanaswami and Seward Rutkove about their article Critically re-evaluating a common technique: Accuracy, reliability, and confirmation bias of EMG. This study supports that in evaluations of radiculopathy (1) serial EMG studies should be performed by the same electromyographer since intrarater reliability is better than interrater reliability; (2) knowledge of clinical information does not bias EMG interpretation substantially, (3) EMG has moderate diagnostic accuracy for radiculopathy with modest specificity and electromyographers should exercise caution interpreting mild abnormalities. Neurology. 2016 Jan 19:86(3):218-23.

Dr. Justin Willer interviews Dr. Lisa Hobson Webb about her Muscle and Nerve article on safely tapering mycophenolate mofetil in myasthenia gravis patients. MMF is frequently used to treat patients with MG but there is little information to guide clinicians on the safety of reducing the dose in well-controlled patients. Discussion includes standard dosages, determining clinical response to MMF and suggested goals in tapering MMF. Muscle Nerve. 2015 Aug;52:211-5. doi: 10.1002 mus.24694. Epub 2015 Jun 18.

Paraproteinemic Neuropathies