F102. The influence of initial tibial somatosensory evoked potentials as a prognostic factor in spinal cord decompression sickness

Abstract

Introduction Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) are the electrical potentials generated in sensory pathways at peripheral, spinal, subcortical and cortical levels of the nervous system. This study aims to determine tibial SSEPs as the potential risk or prognostic factor associated with the development of severe diving-related spinal cord DCS. Methods 68 injured divers(abnormal tibial SSEPs n = 34, normal tibial SSEPs n = 34) presenting symptoms of spinal cord DCS were retrospectively included from Seoul Medical Center. Diving information, time interval between symptom onset and hyperbaric treatment were studied. The initial severity of spinal cord DCS was rated with the Boussuges severity score and muscle power examination and the presence of sequelae was evaluated at 2 weeks. The tables used in the initial treatment for spinal cord DCS included US navy table6 or table6a. Results There were no significant differences between each treatment group in age, diving experience, depth of dive. bottom time of dive, onset to treatment, Boussuges’s score and the grade of motor power before the treatment. The motor power improvements of DCS patients with normal tibial SSEPs were more frequently occurred compared to those with abnormal tibial SSEPs (58.9% vs 35.3%, p = 0.029). Conclusion Initial tibial SSEPs might be useful prognostic factor in spinal cord DCS.