Abstract
Background Accessory Deep Peroneal Nerve (ADPN) is an anatomic variation that can potentially
cause disturbance in electrodiagnostic studies. This anomaly could be detected by
nerve conduction studies. There are no recent updates about prevalence of this anatomic
variation. Electrodiagnostic medicine clinic is the best environment for detecting
presence and prevalence of this nerve, so present study enrolled.
Materials & Methods In this cross sectional descriptive study that take place from March 2009 to July
2010, 230 cases comprising 460 legs referred for electrodiagnostic studies of upper
limbs problems participated in the study. Compound muscle action potential (CMAP)
and Nerve conduction Velocity (NCV) of Deep Peroneal Nerve (DPN) were measured by
using EMG machine by stimulating DPN at knee, ankle and lateral malleolous areas accordingly,
with recording from extensor digitorum brevis muscle. Results were analyzed and conclusion
made.
Results The study population included 120 females (52%) and 110 (47%) males with mean age
of 42.1 ± 13.5 years. ADPN was detected in 28 patients (12%). Among them,10(17.9%)
had bilateral ADPN and in remained 18 cases (82.1%) APN was unilateral. In 8 patients
there was no recorded CMAP from EDB by proximal and distal stimulation implying EDB
agenesis. Gender distribution was similar which means half of the cases (14 patients)
belonged to each gender.
Conclusion The prevalence of ADPN in this study was 12.2%, (17.9% bilateral and 82.1% unilateral).
