SEP and MEP in comatose patients

Somatosensory and motor evoked potentials (SEP and MEP) were examined in a total of 254 comatose patients in the acute phase (n = 254) and during the course of the disease (n = 67). It was the aim of this study to define the prognostic value as well as the correlation of potentials with the development of the neurological condition. Our results clearly show that in terms of prognostic value, SEP are superior to MEP, with normal findings indicating favourable outcome and absent responses an unfavourable outcome. Regarding follow-up examinations, we found that both modalities are sensitive for assessment of clinical deterioration, while improvement of the neurological status usually was not followed by improved potentials. In conclusion, SEP are a valuable parameter for predicting the outcome of comatose patients. The value of electrophysiological follow-up examinations is limited, and the use of SEP and MEP in this context may only be convenient for early assessment of neurological deterioration.