[How idiopathic is idiopathic scoliosis? Results of neurological studies with somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP) in children and adolescents].

UNLABELLED: About 90% of all the scolioses are called "idiopathic". Various neurological diseases (for example poliomyelitis, etc.) are frequently accompanied by deformities of the spine. The so-called somatosensory evoked potentials are at our disposal being a very sensitive and a non-problematic neurological diagnostic tool. Formation of the question: Are there clinically non-detectable neurological changes demonstrable by use of evoked potentials in children with so-called idiopathic scoliosis? 45 non-operated patients suffering from scoliosis and 21 healthy children were examined clinically, neurologically, and by use of evoked potentials.

RESULTS

26/45 children with idiopathis scoliosis showed pathological evoked potentials (right-left-side-difference concerning latency and amplitudes of the potentials and generally delayed transmission from peripheral nerves to the somatosensory cortex), mostly concerning the lower extremities. 19/45 children showed normal evoked potentials (EP). There was no correlation between EP and direction respectively degree of the scoliosis. Neurological affections mostly located caudally of the cervical spine are to be discussed (for example protrusion of the intervertebral disc, dysrhaphic processes etc.).