Abstract
Background: The aim of this study was to assess the value of dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (DSEPs) and cortical somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) in monitoring spinal cord function for patients with congenital scoliosis (CS). Methods: This study retrospectively analyzed the neurophysiological signals recorded in 62 patients from our orthopedic department who underwent MRI, CT and a specialist physical examination by a surgeon to confirm the diagnosis of CS. To observe the incidence of abnormal DSEPs and SSEPs in CS patients and to analyze the difference in sensitivity and reliability between the two in the examination of scoliosis patients. Results: All patients were evaluated with total spine magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Only 23 patients (37.09%) showed intradural lesions in the MRI findings. Abnormal waveforms were observed in the DSEPs of 60 patients (96.8%) , 25 of which (40.3%) had abnormal waveforms in the tibial SSEPs, and the difference was statistically significant (P＜0.05). Of the 10 patients with clinical symptoms, 2 (20%) had abnormal tibial SSEPs waveforms , and 23 (44.2%) of 52 patients without clinical symptoms had abnormal tibial SSEPs waveforms. DSEPs are more sensitive to microscopic posterior column dysfunction in patients with CS that cannot be detected by either imaging or routine clinical examination. Conclusion: DSEPs provide evidence for the type of neurophysiological dysfunction in patients with congenital scoliosis. Preoperative DSEPs assessment is recommended as a baseline examination for intraoperative monitoring and comparison with the postoperative situation. DSEPs recording complements the information obtained from routine clinical and radiological evaluation.
Dermatomal Somatosensory Evoked Potentials And Cortical Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Assessment In Congenital Scoliosis
