Recently, Dr. Bassam Bassam, director of the neuromuscular program and professor of neurology, gave five talks and directed two workshops at the Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) annual meeting held in San Francisco.
Electromyography is a technique for recording and evaluating electrical activity produced by skeletal muscles. Working in the field for 38 years, Dr. Bassam spoke on three areas of interest including motor nerve stimulation, nerve conduction pitfalls, and neuromuscular weakness.
Dr. Bassam said that the impact on patients in regards to neuromuscular weakness is especially important to those in intensive care. “I see patients that are critically ill, often with serious infections and organ failure.” These patients are often ventilator dependent and given paralyzing agents for their conditions that consequently produce peripheral nerve and muscle tissue toxicity.
The technology of electromyography can also benefit the approximately 1 in 20 people affected by carpal tunnel syndrome in their lifetime.
Dr. Bassam stated that AANEM was a “great opportunity to share, update specialists on new treatment options and diagnostic studies in the field.” He also said that the nature of the conference being international was poignant in relation to the University.
Highlighting the importance of international collaboration, Dr. Bassam said it’s rewarding that as a part of the USA neuromuscular program, “we are a part of what’s going on, and that’s important to us.”
Dr. Bassam has been with USA since 1985. He completed his training at Wayne State University in Detroit and the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn., in neuromuscular disease and electromyography. Dr. Bassam is board certified by the American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology as well as the American Board of Neuromuscular Disease and Electrodiagnostic Medicine.
AANEM is a nonprofit membership association comprised of more than 5,000 members who share a common goal of improving the quality of care in nerve and muscle disorders.
