Determination of Neurological Impairment Level in Thoracic SpinalCord Injuries using Dermatomal Somatosensory Evoked Potentials.

, Ha, Yong Hoon; , Ko, Hyun Yoon; , Shin, Yong Beom; , Sohn, Hyun Joo; , Chang, Jae Hyeok; , Moon, Hye Jeong

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2009;33(1):108-111.

Ha, Yong Hoon , Ko, Hyun Yoon , Shin, Yong Beom , Sohn, Hyun Joo , Chang, Jae Hyeok , Moon, Hye Jeong

Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Pusan National University School of Medicine, Korea. drkohy@gmail.com

피부분절 체성감각 유발전위 검사를 이용한 흉수손상환자 손상 부위 결정

하용훈, 고현윤, 신용범, 손현주, 장재혁, 문혜정

부산대학교 의학전문대학원 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
To determine sensory levels of injury using dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) and compare with the neurological level of injury determined by ASIA standard in patients with thoracic spinal cord injury.
Method
By stimulating segmental thoracic dermatomes, cortical SEPs were studied in nine spinal cord injured patients from T2 to T12 (9 men, mean age 41.8) and 20 normal adult men (mean age, 28.3). The SEP studies were performed bilaterally.
Results
In eight cases (44%) of the paraplegics tested, the neurological level of injury by dermatomal SEPs was same compared to the level of injury assessed by ASIA standard. In 15 cases (83%), there were no or one level difference of the level of injury between the levels by SEPs and ASIA standard.
Conclusion
This study suggests that dermatomal SEP can be a useful tool in determination of the neurological level of injury in patients with thoracic spinal cord injury. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2009; 33: 108-111)

Key Words: Dermatomal somatosensory evoked potentials, Neurological level of injury, Spinal cord injury