The study of localization value of somatosensory evoked potentials for spinal cord lesions in children

Objective To explore the significance of the localization of somatosensory evoked potentials for spinal cord lesions in children.Methods Comparing the normal data of somatosensory evoked potentials(SEP)along medium and posterior tibial nerve in 180 healthy children aged 0～14 years,71 patients aged from 2 month to 13 years with spinal cord lesions were recorded by SEP for diagnostic purpose.Results Among the 71 subjects with spinal cord lesions,abnormal SEP were present in 68/71 cases(95 8%).Three cases with spinal deformity demonstrated normal SEP.Abnormal SEP of peripheral potentials were present in 29 4%(20/68) and spinal cord lesions were 88.2%(60/68).There were 75%(51/68)abnormal present in scalp recording.Consisting of delayed latencies of main peak or completely absence of spinal and/or scalp recording.In the cases of cranial lesion,the abnormalities SEP in supratentorial lesions were more common than postfovea.In the 68 children with abnormal SEP,except one with cervical vertebral trauma who had abnormal medium SEP,67 patients meduim SEP were normal.Conclusion The results of the study indicate that SEP is very important to determinate the possible location pathologically for spinal cord lesions.