Evoked potential monitoring identifies possible neurological injury during positioning for craniotomy

Anesth Analg. 2009 Sep;109(3):817-21. doi: 10.1213/ane.0b013e3181b086bd.

Abstract

Somatosensory-evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring is commonly used to detect changes in nerve conduction and prevent impending nerve injury. We present a case series of two patients who had SSEP monitoring for their surgical craniotomy procedure, and who, upon positioning supine with their head tilted 30 degrees-45 degrees, developed unilateral upper extremity SSEP changes. These SSEP changes were reversed when the patients were repositioned. These cases indicate the clinical usefulness of monitoring SSEPs while positioning the patient and adjusting position accordingly to prevent injury.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anesthesiology / methods
  • Craniotomy / methods*
  • Electrodes
  • Electrophysiology / methods
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / methods
  • Monitoring, Physiologic / methods
  • Nervous System Diseases / diagnosis*
  • Nervous System Diseases / pathology
  • Predictive Value of Tests