Abstract
Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) to median and posterior tibial stimulation were obtained in 22 patients with syringomyelia. All patients had magnetic resonance imaging (MR) which defined the maximum transverse diameter of the syrinx as well as its longitudinal extension. SEP was abnormal in 16 (72%) patients. Median and posterior tibial SEPs were abnormal in 11 and 15 patients respectively. Both tests were abnormal in 10 patients. Ten patients showed absence of one or more central potentials (P/N13, N20, N22) and 7 patients demonstrated increased conduction times (N9–N20, P/N13–N20, N22–P40). The mean maximum transverse diameter of the syrinx was 7.5 mm in patients with normal SEPs and 16.2 mm in patients with abnormal SEPs. Abnormal SEP was observed in all 5 patients with loss of position sense, in 9 of 13 (69%) with loss of superficial pain and temperature, and 1 of 2 patients with motor deficit only. Central SEP abnormalities were observed in 3 of 5 patients with sensory deficits indistinguishable from a peripheral neuropathy and in 2 patients in the asymptomatic extremity. Three of 4 patients with syringomyelia and Chiari malformation had a normal SEP.
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 callMore From: Electroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology/ Evoked Potentials Section
Disclaimer: 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.
