Diagnostic validity of somatosensory evoked potentials in subgroups of patients with sciatica

European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society
E PapeB Vandvik

Abstract

The diagnostic utility of scalp-recorded somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) in patients with sciatica has generally been regarded as low. The purpose of the present study was to determine the validity of sensory nerve SEP in different subgroups of sciatic patients. A total of 65 consecutive patients with sciatica showing disc pathology and/or facet joint hypertrophy on lumbar computed tomography (CT) and/or myelography were studied. Symptomatic myelographically compressed nerve roots were defined as truly compromised roots. Asymptomatic myelographically normal nerve roots were defined as truly normal roots. Bilateral sensory nerve SEP representing nerve roots L4, L5, and S1 were performed in all patients. Evaluation of SEP included the use of P1 latency inter-root comparison. The false-positive rate of SEP was low. Pathological L4, L5, and S1 SEP therefore strongly indicate true compromise of the corresponding nerve roots. The true-positive rate was higher in patients with facet joint hypertrophy with or without additional disc disease than in patients with disc pathology only, and highest if the sciatic sensory symptoms were present during the SEP registration. Diagnostic validity was not influenced by previous episodes of ...Continue Reading

Citations

Nov 15, 2006·European Spine Journal : Official Publication of the European Spine Society, the European Spinal Deformity Society, and the European Section of the Cervical Spine Research Society·Markus QuanteJürgen Lorenz
Oct 23, 2012·International Journal of Rheumatic Diseases·Aziza Sayed OmarMaii Abd El-Latif
Nov 19, 2013·The Spine Journal : Official Journal of the North American Spine Society·D Scott KreinerJohn F Toton
Feb 28, 2007·Anesthesiology·Steven P Cohen, Srinivasa N Raja
Jun 24, 2021·Pain Research & Management : the Journal of the Canadian Pain Society = Journal De La Société Canadienne Pour Le Traitement De La Douleur·Nam-Gyu JoJeong-Hwan Seo

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