Abstract
To assess the predictive value of median somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in the acute phase of brain infarction or hemorrhage regarding long-term prognosis. Ninety-four stroke patients mean age 61.2, SD 11.8) were included. CT confirmed diagnoses were: cortical middle cerebral artery (MCA) infarction in 35; subcortical MCA 11; mixed 25. By size, infarctions were: massive, 29; restricted, 33; and lacunar, 9. The number of patients with thalamic hemorrhage was 8; putamenal hemorrhage, 7; other, 8. All patients presented with severe hemiparesis (54) or hemiplegia (40) with hemihipoesthesia in 89 patients. Median SSEP were recorded early (up to 7th day, mean 5.2 days, SD 0.72). SSEP parameters (presence/absence of SSEP, absolute and relative latency, amplitude of early waveforms) were compared to motor (Medical Research Council scale) and functional ability (Barthel index) at 3 and 12 months after stroke. Absolute N20 amplitudes and amplitude ratio evidenced almost similar predictive values that reached 66.4% at 12 months. Combined application of N20 and MRC gains provided significantly stronger prognostic information which reached 72%. Median SSEP parameters may serve as independent predictors of outcome. Most informative in prognosis in the early stage of stroke was the combined assessment of MRC and N20-P25 amplitude ratio.
Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
