A cerebellar evoked potential for spinal cord monitoring

Abstract

Evoked potential monitoring has become widely used throughout modern clinical practice as a means to evaluate the anatomical and functional integrity of the spinal cord. The recording of these responses is very important to the physician in circumstances where the patient either cannot or is unwilling to participate in the “gold standard” neurological exam. Most commonly this involves individuals undergoing operative procedures that place the spinal cord at risk of injury. Although clear evidence is lacking, it is generally believed that the detection of electrophysiological changes will alert the surgeon and allow timely intervention, thus preserving or perhaps even improving neurological function. However, despite a large background of basic science and clinical experience, the role of evoked potentials in defining nervous system function remains poorly established.