J Korean Neurol Assoc.
1988 Dec;6(2):158-168.
The Clinical Application of Visual Evoked Potentials in Diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of neurology, College of medicine, Seoul National University.
Abstract
- Visual evoked potentials(VEPs) were recorded in 30 patients with multiple sclerosis who had been diagnosed and classified as definite(10), probable(15) and possible(5) MS by clinical criteria. This study was performed to detect clinically unsuspected lesions in optic nerves, to confirm the diagnosis, and then to reclassify the patient group. The incidence of abnormal VEPs in groups classified by clinical criteria as definite, probable and possible MS was 90%(9/10), 60%(9/15) and 20%(1/5) respectively. The overall incidence was 63.3%(19/30). Of the 16 patients who had not been suspected the lesions in optic nerves, six(37%) had abnormalities in VEPs. In consideration of the clinical and VEPs findings, the patient group was reclassified into 15(50%), 11(36.6%) and 4(13.7%) respectively. Six subjects shifted toward the next superior classification degree (probable-definite;5, possible-probable;1). In conclusion, the authors predict that in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis VEPs would be very useful, noninvasive, simple and reproducible procedures not only in confirming clinically suspected lesion but also in detecting clinically unsuspected lesion of optic nerve.
