Posterior tibial and sural nerve somatosensory evoked potentials: a study in spastic paraparesis and spinal cord lesions

C. M. Aalfs, J. H. Koelman, F. E. Posthumus Meyjes, B. W. Ongerboer de Visser

Research output: Contribution to journalComment/Letter to the editorAcademic

20 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

In two groups of patients posterior tibial nerve (PTN) and sural nerve (SN) somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) were compared to each other and related to classified neurological signs. Group A consisted of 7 patients with hereditary spastic paraparesis (HSP) and 8 with primary lateral sclerosis (PLS), with solely or primarily motor deficits. Group B consisted of 12 patients with different spinal cord diseases causing variable mixed sensory and motor impairments. Normal values were derived from 39 controls. A clear trend towards more frequently prolonged PTN SEP than SN SEP latencies was found in both groups and appears to make PTN SEPs more useful for clinical application than SN SEPs. No significant differences were found in SEP abnormalities when the two patient groups were compared to each other. No relationships were found between SEP abnormalities and spasticity, weakness or any single sensory modality, making the two SEPs questionable as a quantitative test for neurological deficits in our patients
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)437-441
JournalElectroencephalography and Clinical Neurophysiology
Volume89
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1993

Cite this