Abstract
Objective—To establish a method of F-wave examinations and to determine values of F-wave conduction velocity (FWCV) and F-wave latency for the tibial nerve of clinically normal dogs.
Animals—21 clinically normal dogs.
Procedure—The F-waves were elicited from the interosseous muscles via stimulation of the tibial nerve. The FWCV was determined by using the F-wave shortest value and the surface distance corresponding to the tibial nerve length. Correlation between the smallest latency value of the F-wave and the length of the tibial nerve and between the FWCV and rectal temperature were closely examined.
Results—F-wave latency was proportional to the length of the tibial nerve (correlation coefficient, 0.929). Mean ± SD FWCV was 77.98 ± 8.62 m/s. Regression equation was as follows: F-wave latency = 2.799 + (0.029 X length of the tibial nerve). The FWCV was increased when the measured rectal temperature was high. Correlation coefficient between FWCV and rectal temperature was 0.665.
Conclusion and Clinical Relevance—In the study reported here, we established a reliable method for clinical evaluation of the F-wave. When assessing nerve conduction velocity, it is essential to measure nerve length along the pathway that the nerve impulse travels. This method of F-wave examination is a useful diagnostic tool for the evaluation of suspected dysfunction of the peripheral nervous system. (Am J Vet Res 2002;63:1262–1264)
