Book reviews / Clinical Neurophysiology 117 (2006) 1398–1399
Anatomical Guide for the Electromyographer: The Limbs
and the Trunk (4th Ed)
Aldo O. Perotto, Edward F. Delagi, John M. Iazzetti, Daniel
Morrison. (Thomas Charles C Publisher, Illinois, USA) [ISBN
0-398-07577-8]
This is the fourth edition of a classic book, well known to
those practicing electromyography. The most substantial
addition in this new edition is the inclusion of information
on muscle kinesiology, with the aim to help the
electromyographer to better identify the muscles and
improve intramuscular electrode placement for EMG
recording. In this edition, the authors add a few more
muscles than in previous editions and include more
bibliographic sources. According to the preface, the
techniques presented are based on the author’s own
experience, except for the study of the diaphragm. This is
an important remark since other electromyographers may
have different experiences.
In this book, divided into 14 sections according to body
regions, the authors deal with almost all individual muscles
that can be studied with EMG in the human body. These
include muscles innervated by cranial nerves, muscles from
the limbs, the pelvic floor, the paraspinal region, the
abdominal wall, and those involved in respiratory function.
An appendix at the end of the book summarizes the body
dermatomal distribution, the plexuses, and the innervation of
all muscles. Each muscle is described with respect to
segmental and peripheral innervation, origin and insertion,
position of patient or limb, point of electrode insertion, test
maneuver to ensure proper location of electrodes, and possible
sources of error. Two figures are presented with almost all
muscles. The first one illustrates the preferred site for electrode
insertion and the recommended position of the patient. The
second is a cross-section diagram that depicts the electrodes in
place, illustrating the most important anatomical relationship
with other muscles and neighbouring structures.
In our personal opinion, this book is very friendly to read
and well organised. It will be particularly useful for those
who use EMG to guide botulinum toxin injections. The
reader will find concise information about muscles anatomy
and function, and technique of muscle selection. The
diagrams for each muscle should help in the identification
of muscle location, although we miss labelling of a few
more muscles in each diagram. The comprehension of some
1399
of these figures would be better if adequate orientation signs
were provided.
Unfortunately, the text of the book contains several
typographical mistakes such as palmer instead of palmar,
pisciforme instead of pisiform, prorated instead of pronated,
costar instead of costal. There is also some lack of
consistency in the way the text is written. For example,
certain names are written in italic in one page and in plain
text in another, or in upper case in one and in small case in
another. Some muscles are designed differently in the same
chapter (e.g. Flexor Digitorum Superficialis or Flexor
Digitorum Sublimis), abbreviations are used in some
paragraphs but not in others, and different designations are
used in the same page to describe the same anatomic
relation (e.g. radial aspect and lateral surface).
We have also found some errors in the names of a few
muscles (e.g. Abductor Pollicis Brevis instead of Abductor
Digiti Minimi) or in the side in which the recurrent nerve is
usually affected by aortic aneurisms (right instead of left).
Although there is an extensive table of contents in the
beginning of the book, we missed an alphabetical index at
the end, which is always of great help. Tables at the end of
each section would have also been appropriate to avoid
unnecessary repetitions.
In the light of all this, we consider that Perotto’s book is a
basic contribution to the necessary collection of anatomy
and physiology books of the dedicated electromyography
expert. We think that this book will be of great help for all
those who deal with electromyography, either in clinical
practice or in research activities. It will surely be a very
helpful book for daily practice.
J. Costaa,b
H. Kumrua
a
EMG Unit, Neurology Department Hospital Clı́nic,
University of Barcelona, Spain, Villarroel 170, 08036
Barcelona, Spain
b
Department of Neurology, Lisbon Faculty of Medicine,
Institute of Molecular Medicine, Santa Maria University
Hospital, Lisbon, Portugal
E-mail address: joaoncosta@sapo.pt
Available online 4 April 2006
doi:10.1016/j.clinph.2006.02.011