Neuromuscular Diseases / Peripheral Neurophysiology

The Neuromuscular Service of the Division of Neurology includes the Duke Electromyography Laboratory, the Neuromuscular Consult Service, the Myasthenia Gravis Clinic, the Muscular Dystrophy Clinic, the ALS Clinic, the EMG Guided Chemodenervation Service and the Peripheral Neuropathy Clinic.  

Patient Services:

The Neuromuscular Consult Service evaluates patients with diseases of the peripheral nervous system, usually in conjunction with their electrodiagnostic studies.  Fellows and residents on the Neuromuscular Service participate in these consultations.

The Muscular Dystrophy Clinic is supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and meets from one half day each week.  Fellows and residents on the neuromuscular service attend this clinic.  The MDA clinic at Duke follows approximately 1200 patients.  Dr. E. Wayne Massey serves as Director of the MDA Clinics.

The Myasthenia Gravis Clinic is supported by the Muscular Dystrophy Association and meets two half days each week. It is attended by Fellows and Neurology residents.  There are over 1500 visits to this clinic annually. Dr. Janice Massey directs the MG Clinic.

The Duke ALS Clinic is supported by the Catfish Hunter Chapter of the ALS Association. We meet one full day each week, evaluating 3-4 new patients and 12-15 return patients during each clinic day. We have a large multi-disciplinary clinic team and participate in many types of ALS research including trials. See www.dukealsclinic.com for more details.

The Peripheral Neuropathy Clinic is a member clinic of Neuropathy Association and evaluates patients with complicated peripheral nerve disorders.

The Dystonia Clinic provides EMG-mapping and EMG-guided chemodenervation using botulinum toxin for cervical dystonia, limb dystonia, blepharospasm, hemifacial spasm and spasticity.

Diagnostic Services:

The Duke Electromyography Laboratory performs nerve conduction studies, electromyography, single fiber EMG, motor unit analysis, autonomic function tests and EMG-Guided Chemodenervation.  About 3000 studies are performed annually.  Dr. Janice M. Massey directs the Duke EMG Laboratory.

The Durham Veterans Administration Medical Center Electromyography Laboratory evaluates about 750 patients annually performing nerve conduction studies and electromyography.  Dr. Richard Bedlack directs the Durham VA EMG Laboratory.

Education:

Fellowships

1.  Neuromuscular Medicine Fellowship
Our ACGME-approved fellowship in Neuromuscular Medicine is designed to provide the trained neurologist with expertise in the diagnosis and management of patients with peripheral nerve, neuromuscular junction, and muscle disorders. The fellowship is structured to meet the certification requirements of the American Board of Electrodiagnostic Medicine and the requirements being developed by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology for Added Qualifications in Neuromuscular Medicine.
Dr. Vern C. Juel directs this Fellowship Training Program.

2.  Advanced Fellowship in Neuromuscular Disease
The advanced fellowship is designed to provide neurologists with prior training in neuromuscular medicine and electromyography an opportunity to acquire advanced skills and research experience. 
Dr. Vern C. Juel directs this Fellowship Training Program.



Resident Training

Residents in Neurology spend three months on the neuromuscular service, usually during their second year and have the option to return for up to three months of additional advanced training.  The major goal of this experience is to introduce the trainee to the techniques of nerve conduction studies and electromyography focusing on application in patients with suspected disease of the peripheral nervous system.  During the three-month rotation most residents become adept at the conventional techniques but further training is necessary if the resident expects to use these techniques in practice.



Neuromuscular Service Physicians:
Janice M. Massey, MD
Director, Neuromuscular Service
Director, Duke Electromyography Laboratory
Co-Director, Myasthenia Gravis Clinic

Donald B. Sanders, MD
Founder & Co-Director, Duke Electromyography Laboratory
Director, Duke Myasthenia Gravis Clinic

E. Wayne Massey, MD
Director, Duke MDA Clinic

Vern Juel, MD
Fellowship Director,
Neuromuscular Diseases Fellowship
Clinical Neurophysiology Fellowship (EMG tract)

Richard S. Bedlack, MD, PhD
Director, Durham VA Electromyography Laboratory
Director, Duke ALS Clinic

Joel C. Morgenlander, MD

Paul Burke, MD

Mark Skeen, MD

Contact Numbers:

Duke EMG Lab & Neuromuscular Consults:  
919 681-3386,
Fax 919 660-3853

Duke MDA Clinic:
919 783-0222
Fax 919783-0449

Duke MG Clinic
919 681-3386
Fax 919 660-3853

Duke ALS Clinic
919 668-2839, 668-2372
Fax 919 668-2901


For more information contact:

Duke Neuromuscular Service:  919 681-3386