[Somatosensory evoked brain potentials in discogenic compressions of the lumbosacral roots]

In 16 patients with discogenic lumbar-sacral radiculitis the author studied somato-sensory evoked potentials from the vertex area in response to electric stimulation of the peripheral nerves corresponding to the affected radicle on the side of the compression and on the intact side. It was established that in discogenic compressions of the radicles there is an expressed drop in the amplitude of early components of evoked potentials II1, H1, especially if the compression leads to disturbances of tacticle, double-range and deep sensitivity. The degree of changes in evoked potentials corresponds to the severity of the compression and may serve as one of the criteria for evaluating the effectiveness of conservative therapy and determination of indications to surgical treatment.