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Somatosensory evoked potentials in syringomyelia
Journal of Neurology, Neurosurgery, and Psychiatry
|December 1, 1986
Summary
Somatosensory evoked potentials reveal distinct abnormalities in syringomyelia patients, including reduced cervical potentials and prolonged central conduction time. This pattern helps differentiate spinal cord lesions from peripheral nerve issues.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Neurology
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Syringomyelia is a rare spinal cord disorder.
- Understanding its electrophysiological characteristics is crucial for diagnosis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize upper limb somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) abnormalities in patients with syringomyelia.
- To differentiate SSEP patterns in syringomyelia from other neurological conditions.
Main Methods:
- Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) of the upper limb were recorded in nine patients diagnosed with syringomyelia.
- Analysis focused on cervical potentials amplitude and central conduction time.
Main Results:
- Reduced amplitude or absent cervical potentials were observed in all patients.
- Abnormal central conduction time was a consistent finding.
- This pattern contrasts with normal central conduction time in peripheral nerve diseases and cervical radiculopathy.
Conclusions:
- SSEPs demonstrate characteristic abnormalities in syringomyelia, namely reduced cervical potentials and prolonged central conduction time.
- These findings aid in distinguishing syringomyelia from other spinal and peripheral nerve pathologies.