ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: Analysis of the relationship between the symptoms, digital nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (D-SEP) and MRI, in patients with symptomatic cervical spine disorders (CSD). MATERIALS AND METHODS: MRI and D-SEP following electrical stimulation of digits I, III and V in 44 patients. RESULTS: Symptoms in the fingers correlated significantly with disk herniation at the corresponding cervical level and with spinal cord impingement at one or two adjacent rostral segments on MRI. D-SEP was abnormal in 52% of all patients. Among them, the groups with multiple and single level involved on MRI had 62% and 30% of abnormal somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP), respectively. Digit I-SEP abnormality was more often localized at the root level, while digit V-SEP at the spinal cord level above the dorsal nucleus. D-SEP correlated best with compression of the spinal cord at adjacent upper and especially the most rostral (C3-5) levels on MRI. CONCLUSIONS: Accurate correlation of D-SEP and symptoms with MRI is essential for correct localization of lesions in patients with CSD.
