Short latency somatosensory-evoked potentials in children —part 3. Findings following head injury

Abstract

Fourteen children aged 3 to 11 years who suffered from coma for at least 6 hours had somatosensory-evoked potential studies performed within 24 hours of neurotrauma. The upper cervical (Cv2) and bilateral cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials were recorded for calculation of the central somatosensory conduction time. Despite the fact that the SEP recordings were performed in the intensive care unit and the patients were receiving opiate and barbiturate therapy, satisfactory somatosensory-evoked potentials were recorded in all patients. Symmetrical short latency cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials were recorded bilaterally in 10 patients. Two patients with hemorrhagic cerebral contusions and unilateral cerebral edema had ipsilateral abnormalties of the cortical somatosensoryevoked potential. These patients all had normal central somatosensory conduction times and all had satisfactory neurological recoveries, although the two patients with abnormal cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials had focal neurological deficits. Two patients whose head injuries were complicated by hypoxia and refractory intracranial hypertension had bilaterally abnormal cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials, and both had vegetative outcomes. There was no correlation between the Glasgow Coma Score and central somatosensory conduction time; however, the number of components to the cortical somatosensory-evoked potential was related to the Glasgow Coma Score. The results suggest that the recording of somatosensory-evoked potentials can provide useful information about the functional status of central and cortical somatosensory pathways in children following major head injury.