Diagnostic use of dermatomal somatosensory-evoked potentials in spinal disorders: Case series. 2013

Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
Acıbadem University School of Medicine, Bakirkoy, Istanbul, Turkey.

OBJECTIVE/CONTEXT: Dermatomal somatosensory-evoked potentials (dSEPs) may be valuable for diagnostic purposes in selected cases with spinal disorders. METHODS Reports on cases with successful use of dSEPs. RESULTS Cases 1 and 2 had lesions causing multiple root involvement (upper to middle lumbar region in Case 1 and lower sacral region in Case 2). Cystic lesions in both cases seemed to compress more than one nerve root, and stimulation at the center of the involved dermatomes in dSEPs helped to reveal the functional abnormality. Cases 3 and 4 had lesions involving the spinal cord with or without nerve root impairment. In Case 3, an magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-verified lesion seemed to occupy a considerable volume of the lower spinal cord, causing only very restricted clinical sensory and motor signs. In Case 4, a cervical MRI showed a small well-circumscribed intramedullary lesion at right C2 level. All neurophysiological investigations were normal in the latter two patients (motor, tibial, and median somatosensory-evoked potentials in Case 3, and electromyography in both) except for the dSEPs. CONCLUSIONS Objectifying the presence and degree of sensory involvement in spinal disorders may be helpful for establishing diagnoses and in therapeutic decision-making. Valuable information could be provided by dSEPs in selected patients with multiple root or spinal cord involvement.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D008297 Male Males
D008875 Middle Aged An adult aged 45 - 64 years. Middle Age
D005073 Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory The electric response evoked in the CEREBRAL CORTEX by stimulation along AFFERENT PATHWAYS from PERIPHERAL NERVES to CEREBRUM. Somatosensory Evoked Potentials,Evoked Potential, Somatosensory,Somatosensory Evoked Potential
D005260 Female Females
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D000328 Adult A person having attained full growth or maturity. Adults are of 19 through 44 years of age. For a person between 19 and 24 years of age, YOUNG ADULT is available. Adults
D013118 Spinal Cord Diseases Pathologic conditions which feature SPINAL CORD damage or dysfunction, including disorders involving the meninges and perimeningeal spaces surrounding the spinal cord. Traumatic injuries, vascular diseases, infections, and inflammatory/autoimmune processes may affect the spinal cord. Myelopathy,Spinal Cord Disorders,Myelopathies,Spinal Cord Disease,Spinal Cord Disorder

Related Publications

Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
February 2004, Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
April 1984, Spine,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
February 2003, Physical medicine and rehabilitation clinics of North America,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
November 1986, Archives of neurology,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
December 1979, Zeitschrift fur Kinderchirurgie und Grenzgebiete,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
May 1988, Journal of neurology, neurosurgery, and psychiatry,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
February 1985, Annals of neurology,
Pinar Yalinay Dikmen, and A Emre Oge
October 1991, Clinical EEG (electroencephalography),
Copied contents to your clipboard!