Somatosensory evoked potentials and neurological grades as predictors of outcome in acute spinal cord injury

• DOI: 10.3171/jns.1990.72.4.0600
• Publication Date: 2009-05-13T18:19:39Z
• Authors: Chen Li; David A. Houlden; David W. Rowed
• Keywords: Somatosensory evoked potential; Evoked potential

✓ An analysis of Motor Index score, pinprick sensory joint position sense somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) grade in the ulnar (SSEP u ) and posterior tibial t regions, overall SSEP (mean u+t was conducted 36 patients with cervical spinal cord injuries to determine relationship these scores, both individually combination, functional outcome (as determined using Barthel Index) at 6 months after injury. The clinical electrophysiological data were obtained on same day within 2 weeks Nineteen underwent two tests 1 week apart first 3 following injury an attempt identify mean improvement. Somatosensory grading based presence or absence cortical potential, amplitude early cortically generated waveform (P 22 P 37 ), interpeak latency across lesion site. Mean had strongest individual (R-square 0.75, p < 0.0001) improvement over a 1-week interval during associated score month period. Joint best predictor 0.64, 0.0001). correlated more closely than combination score. all three indicators produced correlation 0.87, This study confirms prognostic value quantitative for acute injuries.