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Segmental v dermatomal somatosensory-evoked potentials. Normal intertrial variation and side-to-side comparison
D Dumitru1, B Y Newton, P Dreyfuss
1University of Texas Health Science Center, Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, San Antonio 78284-7798.
American Journal of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation
|April 1, 1993
Summary
Investigating somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) for lumbosacral radiculopathy revealed significant intertrial variation. A new method using mean values of two trials and maximum side-to-side latency difference improves diagnostic reliability.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Clinical Electrophysiology
Background:
- Segmental and dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are used for diagnosing lumbosacral radiculopathy.
- Normal intertrial variation and optimal trial numbers for SEPs remain uninvestigated, hindering diagnostic interpretation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate unilateral/bilateral normal intertrial variation in SEPs for lumbosacral radiculopathy diagnosis.
- To establish optimal parameters for SEP data acquisition and interpretation.
Main Methods:
- Studied ipsilateral intertrial variations and side-to-side differences in P1/N1 latencies and peak-to-peak amplitudes.
- Stimulated superficial peroneal sensory nerve, sural nerve, and L5/S1 dermatomes in 29 healthy subjects.
Main Results:
- Observed considerable ipsilateral intertrial variation in SEP parameters.
- Side-to-side comparisons showed increased inherent variation, with maximum differences exceeding mean differences.
Conclusions:
- Proposed a method using the arithmetic mean of two sequential trials to minimize inherent SEP variation.
- Recommended maximum side-to-side latency difference as an additional SEP evaluation parameter for reliable diagnosis.