A Methodological Study on Cervical Responses by Median Nerve Stimulation

Abstract

Background: Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) have been widely accepted as a noninvasive, easy tolerated and, useful method in the assesment of cervical spinal cord conduction. There are different recording and reference applications for SEP montage in different articles. Objective: This study has planned to determine the best placement of electrodes. Material and Methods: We performed Cv2, Cv3, Cv4, Cv5 recording with Fz or anterior cervical reference points by median nerve stimulation in 30 healthy subjects with an age range of 20-39. We compared the results obtained from both reference recordings. And also we performed detailed correlation analysis between latency, amplitude, duration, intercomponent intervals and age, height, weight, arm lenght, body mass index, (age-20)2. Findings: In conclusion, according to recording points there was no meaningful difference as statistically between parameters. Comparing the reference points; there is an increased possibility to obtain the complex of N11-N13- N14 waves by using Fz reference electrod. The results also revealed a statistically significant correlation between height, arm lenght and, SEP parameters. Conclusion: We conclude that there were no differences in latency and amplitude between Cv2, Cv3, Cv4, Cv5 recordings points. We recommend that the usage Fz reference point for obtaining N11 potential, the usage of AC reference point for more clear N13 potential.

Keywords

• cervical potential evoked by median nerve
• electrode montage
• noncephalic and cephalic references