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Can needle EMG or nerve conduction studies cause transient MRI abnormalities, such as apparent inflammation, edema, or enhancement of a nerve, that could be mistaken for neuritis on subsequent imaging?

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Mednet Member
Rheumatology · Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center

Yes—needle EMG can create small, transient post-procedure MRI/MR-neurography abnormalities at needle insertion sites, including focal T2/STIR hyperintensity interpreted as edema and occasional small hematoma, which can potentially be mistaken for local pathology if the timing is not recognized. In a...

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