| Abstract | | This research deals with changes in the electrophysiological characteristics of the long tracts and of the interneuronic system of the spinal cord in patients operated on the spinal cord. Spinal somatosensory evoked potentials were recorded using the subpial and the epidural technique during an intraoperative neuromonitoring, which is obligatory in all operations on the spinal cord at the Clinic for Neurosurgery in Ljubljana. The median, tibial and sural nerves were stimulated. Somatosensory evoked potentials of the long tracts and of the spinal interneuronic system consists of different elements, which originate in a certain point in the spinal cord. The changes of these elements indicate damage to the part of the spinal cord which is their generator. The most stable element of the conducted spinal somatosensory evoked potential are the initial negative waves. They originate in the spinocerebellar tract. The deterioration in shape of the PVP group of waves is the most sensitive indicator of damage to the somatosensory system of the spinal cord. Their disappearance or absence indicate severe damage to the dorsal columns. The waves of the PNP group are the most sensitive element of the conducted spinal somatosensory evoked potential. Their absence indicates a damage to the somatosensory system of the spinal cord. Exact localization of the damage to the spinal cord can not be given on the basis of the changes of the PNP group of waves. (Abstract truncated at 2000 characters)
|