Significance of Pre. and Postoperative Short latency SEP in Patients with Cavical lesion

Kim, M S; Rha, H K; Ann, M S; Choi, C R; Song, J U

Abstract

We performed the short latency somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) following median nerve stimulation in 50 normal subjects and 24 patients with cervical lesions. The sites of recording electrodes were erb's point, C7 spinous process, C2 spinous process and sensory cortical area representing the hand. Results of the short latency SEP after median nerve stemulation in 50 normal subjects were as follows : Erb's potential : 10.2+/-0.8, C7 potential : 13.2+/-0.8, C2 potential : C7 +/-0.8, C2 potential : 19+/-1.0. Results of the short latency SEP after median nerve stimulation in 24 patients with cervical lesions were as follows. 1) Patients with mild cervical lesions : 15 patients in this group had delayed the latency of C2. 2) Patients with moderate to severe cervical lesions : 5 patients in this group had delayed the latency of C7 or Erb's point. 3) Patients with fracture-dislocation of cervical vertebrae : 2 patients in this group had no responses. 4) Two patients with mild cervical lesions had normal ranges of the latencies. Therefore we suggest the efficiency of the short latency SEP in the diagnosis and evaluation of the patient's prognosis with cerrical lesions.