[Pre-, intra- and postoperative somatosensory evoked potentials in cervical vertebral and spinal cord injuries]

Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SEPs) to upper limb nerves stimulation, are able to detect cervical medullary dysfunction in case of cervical spine trauma. We have monitored cervical spinal cord functionality in 13 subjects with severe cervical spine trauma. In most of subjects, a prolonged P11onset-P13onset interval was found. Postoperatory a reduced P11onset-P13onset interval well correlates with clinical improving of medullary function. Intraoperatory, a transitory impairment of spinal cord function was found during medullary distraction and vertebral body fusion.