Somatosensory evoked responses as a diagnostic aid in thoracic outlet syndrome. A postoperative study

In the present study we have recorded evoked responses in the supraclavicular fossa (Erb's point) following stimulation of the median and ulnar nerves separately on both sides, in patients with thoracic outlet syndrome. Nine out of the 13 patients showed abnormal findings in the preoperative recordings when compared to the recordings of the 20 healthy controls. The first postoperative recordings were performed two months after operation and 3 out of 9 patients with the abnormal preoperative recordings showed normalized results and in addition 2 patients, about one to two years after the operation in the second postoperative recordings. It is suggested that the Erb's point recordings may be of value not only in the diagnosis of thoracic outlet syndrome but also that these recordings are possibly suitable for postoperative follow-up of this disorder.