[Somatosensory evoked potentials in vascular damage to central sensory pathways]

Somatosensory evoked potentials from median nerve (SEP-M) were examined bilaterally in 43 patients with a well delimited vascular foci in central somatosensory pathways. Scalp, far field, cervical, Erb potentials and conduction times were recorded in each patients. Five subgroups based on localization of foci (parietal cortex, corona radiata, internal capsule, thalamus and extensive subcortical--cortical hemispheric focus) were distinguished. The results from the unimpaired (n-38) and impaired (n-48) sides, focus subgroups and control healthy group were statistically compared. The attempt to establish a specific relationship between the SEP-M picture and site of the lesion gave a negative result. SEP-M changes were more pronounced in cases of very extensive axons run in a compact bundle (internal capsule). The SEP-M examination indicates only the degree of the central sensory system damage. Correlations between intensity SEP-M pathology and clinical sensory disturbances were found. SEP-M parameters on the unimpaired side differed significantly from those of the control group. Therefore the impaired side should not be used as a reference for evaluation of impaired side pathology. The diagnostic validity of far field potentials recordings in such investigations is stressed.