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Return to Overview of Diagnosis, Treatment and Prevention
Highlights | Overview | Why It's Done | What It's Like | Understanding the Results | Risks and Complications

Risks and Complications of LEMG
Key Glossary TermsKey Glossary Terms
Laryngeal Electromyography (LEMG)
A test that measures the electrical discharges from voice box muscles during activities such as speaking, breathing, and swallowing

Paresis
Partial paralysis; partial loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in muscle weakness

Paralysis
Complete loss of nerve input to a muscle, resulting in complete loss of muscle function

Motor Unit
The functional unit made up of all muscle fibers that receive nerve inputs from a single nerve cell; a muscle is made of many motor units

Glossary
Procedure Is Safe When Performed by Experienced Voice Care Team

According to current best practices, LEMG is a safe procedure.

Even in the Best of Hands, Pain or Difficulty During Procedure

Sometimes, LEMG can be painful or difficult for a patient.

Other Complications Rare

While the possibility of complications exists for any procedure, complications of LEMG are extremely rare and include:

  • Risk of bleeding from the needle puncture site
  • Infection
  • Reaction to the anesthetic
  • Damage to areas where the needle is inserted
Red FlagRed Flags

The risk for difficulty during and/or complications from LEMG is increased when the patient has one or more of the following:

  • A bleeding disorder, or uses of drugs for "thinning the blood" (anticoagulants)
  • Altered anatomy due to prior surgery or infection
  • Obesity and/or goiter, which may make identification of anatomical landmarks for the needle insertions difficult
  • Airway problem; any difficulty breathing may worsen when vocal folds swell after the procedure
These conditions may preclude an LEMG procedure. When LEMG needs to be done, special care should be taken prior to and/or during the procedure to prevent these complications.

Patients should consult with their physicians about possible complications.
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