The Clinical Usefulness of the Somatosensory Evoked Potentials in Thoracic Neuropathy

J Korean Assoc EMG Electrodiagn Med 2003;5(1):15-20.
Published online May 10, 2003.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the usefulness of intercostal somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) for evaluating lesions affecting the thoracic nerve. Methods: We studied 20 healthy control group and 16 patients group with thoracic neuropathy. We examined bilateral 3, 5, 7, 9th intercostal SSEPs in control group and each lesion side and contralateral side in patients group. Results: In controls, the mean P1 latencies were 23.75 msec for the third intercostal SSEPs, 25.03 msec for the fifth intercostal SSEPs, 26.43 msec for the seventh SSEPs, 27.86 msec for the ninth intercostal SSEPs. The mean N1 latencies for the 3rd, 5th, 7th, 9th were 34.69 msec, 35.96 msec, 37.68 msec and 38.86 msec, respectively and the mean amplitudes of P1N1 were 1.38 V, 1.24 V, 1.19 V and 1.01 V, respectively. The P1 latency and N1 latency difference of SSEP between involved and uninvolved side in patient group had significancy compared with side to side difference in control group. The amplitude difference of SSEP between involved and uninvolved side in patient group had not significancy compared with side to side difference in control group. Conclusion: The intercostal SSEPs is a easily and painlessly obtained method and a complementary examination to thoracic nerve and intercostal nerve lesions.

Key Words: Thoracic neuropathy, Intercostal nerve, Somatosensory evoked potential