Electrophysiological study of peroneal nerve palsy at the fibular head.

The aim of this paper is to compare the potentials from the extensor digitorum brevis (EDB) with those from the tibialis anterior (TA) stimulating the peroneal nerve proximally and distally the fibular head in patients suffering of peroneal nerve palsy at the fibular head. In 8/30 limbs the electrophysiological studies were normal. According to electrophysiological findings the lesion was of demyelinating type in 6/22 patients, axonal in 8/22 and mixed in 8/22. In 12/22 limbs the abnormalities were found recording both for EDB and TA muscles; in 7/22 recording only from EDB and in 3/22 recording only from TA. Thus it is possible that motor fibers supplying the EDB and TA may be damaged differently and is useful evaluate both muscles.