Risk of hematoma following needle electromyography of the paraspinal muscles

Muscle Nerve. 2011 Sep;44(3):439-40. doi: 10.1002/mus.22138.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to establish the incidence of MRI-detectable hematomas following paraspinal EMG. We provide a retrospective review of patients who underwent paraspinal EMG and subsequent concordant level spine MRI. A total of 370 charts (431 MRIs) met the inclusion criteria. No paraspinal hematomas were observed. These results should further the development of evidence-based guidelines for patients who have greater-than-normal bleeding risk and support the notion that paraspinal EMG is a relatively safe procedure.

MeSH terms

  • Anticoagulants / adverse effects
  • Electromyography / adverse effects*
  • Electromyography / instrumentation
  • Female
  • Hematoma / epidemiology*
  • Hematoma / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Male
  • Muscle, Skeletal / pathology*
  • Needles
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Risk Factors
  • Spine

Substances

  • Anticoagulants