Neuromuscular Disease

The Neuromuscular Program at Boston Medical Center provides consultation for inpatients and outpatients as well as a full range of diagnostic testing and electromyographically guided botulinum toxin injection. The expertise of our board certified neurologists encompasses the full range of neuromuscular disorders including peripheral neuropathies (including those secondary to toxic exposures), compression neuropathies, traumatic injury to nerves, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), myasthenia gravis and myopathy.

Sites

BMC Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center: Inpatient and outpatient office consultations are provided as well as inpatient and outpatient electrodiagnostic testing and procedures.

Veteran’s Administration Boston Healthcare System (Jamaica Plain, West Roxbury): The full range of services is available through the VA system.

Diagnostic Testing and Procedures

The EMG laboratory can accommodate adults, children and infants. The combined laboratories perform over 1800 studies each year. These include:

diamond shaped bullet Routine Nerve Conduction Studies and Electromyography (EMG)
diamond shaped bullet Single Fiber EMG
diamond shaped bullet Laryngeal EMG for disorders of voice and phonation
diamond shaped bullet Ischemic forearm testing for metabolic diseases of muscle
diamond shaped bullet EMG guided botulinum toxin injection

Education and Training

A one-year ACGME-accredited Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship is offered for graduates of an ACGME-accredited neurology residency training program. In addition, the neuromuscular faculty participate in the education and training of residents who wish to gain experience in neurophysiological testing and other procedures. Medical students may apply for a two-week neuromuscular elective. Trainees are invited to participate in clinical neurophysiology conferences.

Research

Our faculty has published extensively on novel EMG and nerve conduction techniques, the development of special electrodes, peripheral neuropathies, myasthenia gravis and ALS.

Referrals

Patients are typically referred by their primary care physician. Patients are seen for routine evaluations and second opinions. Patient appointments can be made at the following numbers:

  • Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center (office visits)  – 617-638-8456
  • EMG Lab  – 617-638-7979
  • VA Medical Center (Jamaica Plain) – 617-232-9500 x 4827

Faculty

BMC Shapiro Ambulatory Care Center:

VA Medical Center: