Evaluation of cervical cord function in cervical spondylotic myelopathy and/or radiculopathy using both segmental...

To evaluate the function of the cervical cord and to diagnose the level and severity of cervical cord lesions in myelopathy, both segmental and conductive spinal evoked potentials (SEP) were measured in 73 patients with cervical spondylotic myelopathy and/or radiculopathy. In normal subjects, segmental SEPs consisted of two waves (R and N waves). Ascending conductive SEPs also consisted of two waves (first and second waves). The function of the cervical cord, including roots, grey matter, and white matter, can be measured by the combined method using both segmental and conductive SEPs, and this allows differentiation among radiculopathy and various types of myelopathy.