Motor and somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical spondylotic myelopathy

Electroencephalogr Clin Neurophysiol. 1998 Jan;108(1):24-31. doi: 10.1016/s0168-5597(97)00075-0.

Abstract

We recorded upper and lower limb MEPs and SEPs in 55 patients with clinically suggestive and myelography-documented cervical cord compression due to spondylotic changes. MEPs were abnormal in biceps brachii of 21 patients (38%), in first dorsal interosseous muscle of the hand of 49 patients (89%) and in tibialis anterior of 47 patients (85%). Overall, MEP abnormalities were present in at least one muscle of 51/55 patients (93%). Median SEPs were abnormal in 20 cases (36%), ulnar SEPs in 24 (44%) and posterior tibial SEPs in 40 (73%). Overall incidence of SEP alterations was 73% (40/55) and SEPs detected clinically silent sensory dysfunction in 10 patients (18%). Among the 43 patients who underwent surgical decompression, first dorsal interosseous (FDI) MEPs and tibial SEPs remained abnormal in most cases 1 year after surgery, independently of clinical outcome. On the other hand, serial EP studies seemed useful to confirm and monitor the clinical evolution of unoperated patients.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Cervical Vertebrae*
  • Evoked Potentials, Motor / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Muscle, Skeletal / physiopathology
  • Spinal Cord / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / diagnosis
  • Spinal Cord Compression / etiology
  • Spinal Cord Compression / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Cord Compression / surgery
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / complications
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / diagnosis
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / physiopathology*
  • Spinal Osteophytosis / surgery