Radiculopathies lombaires : AAEM Practice Guideline

1: In patients with suspected lumbosacral radiculopathy, the following EDX studies probably aid the clinical diagnosis:

(a) Peripheral limb EMG 
(Class II evidence, Level B recommendation).
(b) Paraspinal mapping with needle EMG in lumbar radiculopathy 
(Class II evidence, Level B recommendation).
(c) H-reflex in S1 radiculopathy 
(Class II and III evidence, Level C recommendation).

2: Evidence suggests a low sensitivity of peroneal and posterior tibial F-waves 
(Class II and III evidence, Level C recommendation).

3: There is inadequate evidence to reach a conclusion on the utility of the following EDX studies:

(a) Dermatomal/segmental SEP of the L5 or S1 dermatomes 
(Class III evidence, Level C recommendation).
(b)  Paraspinal mapping with needle EMG in sacral radiculopathy 
(one small Class II study, Level U).
(c)  MEP with root stimulation in making an independent diagnosis of lumbosacral radiculopathy
(Class III evidence, Level U).