What is the role of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in the evaluation of the peripheral nervous system?

Answer

SEPs may be used in evaluation of the peripheral nervous system when traditional nerve conduction studies (NCSs) are not possible (for any reason) or are not reliable (eg, technical problems, or artifacts).

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Media Gallery

Plot of 148-channel magnetoencephalographic recording of somatosensory evoked response to tapping on the tip of the left fifth digit. As magnetic fields enter and exit the skull at different locations, the deflections are upgoing at some magnetometer channels and downgoing at other magnetometer positions. The N20m latency is highlighted.
First cortical somatosensory response (N20m) to left fifth digit stimulation recorded by magnetoencephalography. Localization of the response is co-registered on the patient's MRI. Note that the response localizes to the postcentral gyrus.
The P34m response to tapping on the tip of the left fifth digit as seen on magnetoencephalography.
Localization of the P34m response co-registered onto the patient's MRI.
Normal baseline SEPs. Left median on upper left corner, right median on upper right corner, left tibial on lower left corner and right tibial on lower right corner.
Effects of reduced temperatures from 36º to 34.5º, resulting in increase in latency throughout evoked potentials from N9-P20.

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Author

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA Chief of Neurology, Hines Veterans Affairs Hospital; Professor of Neurology, Loyola University Medical Center

Jasvinder Chawla, MD, MBA is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Jorge G Burneo, MD, MSPH Assistant Professor, Epilepsy Program, Department of Clinical Neurological Sciences, London Health Sciences Centre, University of Western Ontario, Canada

Jorge G Burneo, MD, MSPH is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society

Disclosure: Received grant/research funds from UCB Canada for other; Received consulting fee from UCB Canada for consulting.

Gregory L Barkley, MD Director of the Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Department of Neurology, Henry Ford Health System; Associate Professor, Case Western Reserve University

Gregory L Barkley, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Association, Michigan State Medical Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Specialty Editor Board

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD Adjunct Assistant Professor, University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Pharmacy; Editor-in-Chief, Medscape Drug Reference

Disclosure: Received salary from Medscape for employment. for: Medscape.

Norberto Alvarez, MD Assistant Professor, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School; Consulting Staff, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital; Medical Director, Wrentham Developmental Center

Norberto Alvarez, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Epilepsy Society, Child Neurology Society

Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Selim R Benbadis, MD Professor, Director of Comprehensive Epilepsy Program, Departments of Neurology and Neurosurgery, Tampa General Hospital, University of South Florida Morsani College of Medicine

Selim R Benbadis, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Neurology, American Academy of Sleep Medicine, American Clinical Neurophysiology Society, American Epilepsy Society, American Medical Association

Disclosure: Serve(d) as a director, officer, partner, employee, advisor, consultant or trustee for: Ceribell, Eisai, Greenwich, Growhealthy, LivaNova, Neuropace, SK biopharmaceuticals, Sunovion<br/>Serve(d) as a speaker or a member of a speakers bureau for: Eisai, Greenwich, LivaNova, Sunovion<br/>Received research grant from: Cavion, LivaNova, Greenwich, Sunovion, SK biopharmaceuticals, Takeda, UCB.

What is the role of somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) in the evaluation of the peripheral nervous system?

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