[Somatosensory evoked potentials in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis]

The authors examined SEP in a group of 54 patients with the clinical diagnosis of SM. The sensitivity of the test in SEP of the median nerve was 68%, in SEP of the tibial nerve 78%. Concurrent use of both techniques revealed an abnormality in 83%. Subclinical abnormalities were present in 28% (median nerve) and 24% resp. (tibial nerve) of the patients. In case of a clinical disturbance of sensitivity the SEP finding was normal in 10% of the patients. A typical abnormality in SM was the absence of spinal responses and prolongation of the central conduction time. In 41% of the patients with an abnormal finding the abnormality was unilateral. The authors discuss possibilities of topical diagnosis of sensitive lesions by means of SEP.