[Application of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring in spinal cord surgery].

OBJECTIVE

To study application of intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring(IONM) in spinal cord surgery.

METHODS

In the study, 24 patients with spinal cord tumors were divided into 4 groups according to the method of monitoring. Group A (ventral tumors) underwent somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) + motor evoked potential (MEP) + electromyography (EMG) monitoring, group B (intramedullary tumors) underwent SEP + MEP monitoring, group C (subdural extramedullary tumors) underwent SEP + EMG monitoring, group D (conus medullary and cauda equina lesions) underwent EMG monitoring. The relationship between changes of IONM and postoperative neurological function was analyzed.

RESULTS

All of the 3 patients in group A had IONM alteration which recovered before the end of surgery, but neurological function deteriorated in 1 case. All of the 6 patients in group B had IONM alteration, of whom 5 recovered before the end of surgery, and 1 did not recover and neurological function deteriorated in this case. Seven of the nine patients in group C had IONM alteration which recovered before the end of surgery, but neurological function deteriorated in 1 case. All of the 6 patients in group D had IONM alteration which recovered before the end of surgery, but neurological function deteriorated in 1 case.

CONCLUSION

IONM is useful to reduce postoperative neurological deterioration. However, IONM neurophysiological monitoring needs further improvement.