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Evaluation of Radiculopathies by Segmental Stimulation and Somatosensory Evoked Potentials

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  18 September 2015

Andrew Eisen ,
Maureen Hoirch  and
Alex Moll
Andrew Eisen*
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Neurophysiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.
Maureen Hoirch
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Neurophysiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.
Alex Moll
Affiliation:
Department of Diagnostic Neurophysiology, Vancouver General Hospital, Vancouver, B.C.
*
Diagnostic Neurophysiology — EMG, Vancouver General Hospital, 855 West 12th Avenue, Vancouver, B.C. V5Z 1M9.
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Thirty-six patients with suspected or myelographically proven radiculopathies were investigated with motor and sensory conductions, F-waves, needle electromyography, and somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs). SEPs were elicited by cutaneous nerve stimulation representative of input from individual cervical and lumbosacral dorsal roots. A myelographic defect was present in 83% of 30 patients who had myelograms. Overall 78% of patients had one or more abnormal electrophysiologic tests, the needle EMG giving the best diagnostic yield (75%). F-waves and SEPs were abnormal in 43% and 57% of cases respectively. Motor deficit correlated best with abnormal EMGs, whilst abnormal SEPs occurred most frequently when sensory deficit predominated. Prolonged latency of the SEP occurred rarely, reduced amplitude or abnormal morphology being the most useful characteristics. SEPs evoked by cutaneous nerve stimulation are a useful addition to conventionally available electrophysiological methods of evaluating radiculopathies, especially in the absence of motor deficit.

Type
Original Articles
Information
Canadian Journal of Neurological Sciences , Volume 10 , Issue 3 , August 1983 , pp. 178 - 182
Copyright
Copyright © Canadian Neurological Sciences Federation 1983

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