Improved method of obtaining biopsies of neuromuscular junction in man

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Abstract
Electrophysiologic sampling of the exposed surface of a suitable muscle in man has been used to delimit the end plate region. The method is based on the observation of a reversal in the polarity of the muscle spike evoked by a single shock delivered to the motor nerve when the records obtained in a series of bipolar leads are compared. Such reversals occur at the focus of initiation of the muscle action potential which corresponds to the motor end plate. The procedure used in the study of flexor carpi radialis muscle is detailed, and the consistency of the method is established by comparing electrophysiologic observations with the histologic findings on the same muscle sample after excision. The method appears to be useful in 2 respects. First, it makes possible the excision of neuromuscular biopsies of minimal size including a limited amount of surrounding muscular tissue as required for electron microscopy. Second, comparison can be made of histopathologic and physiopathologic observations collected on the same muscle sample.

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