Stimulation of Cauda Equina With a Figure-of-Eight Magnetic Coil.

PURPOSE: To record responses in the abductor hallucis muscle after lumbosacral stimulation with a figure-of-eight magnetic coil. To compare magnetic stimulation (MS), electrical stimulation (ES), and the peripheral motor conduction time.

METHODS

M and F waves and compound muscle action potentials were recorded after L1 MS, S1 MS, and L1 ES.

RESULTS

The compound muscle action potential latency on L1 MS was 26.9 ± 2.6 milliseconds and on L1 ES was 25.6 ± 2.2 milliseconds, and the peripheral motor conduction time was 27.0 ± 2.5 milliseconds (analysis of variance P = 0.0008). The compound muscle action potential amplitude was 12 ± 11% of M-wave on L1 MS, 32 ± 18% on S1 MS, and 31 ± 17% on L1 ES.

CONCLUSIONS

Dorsal MS reliably elicits responses in the abductor hallucis muscle. The latency of compound muscle action potentials on L1 MS is comparable to peripheral motor conduction time. A potential drawback of MS may be too weak stimulation at the proximal end of the cauda equina.