Intraoperative direct cortical stimulation motor evoked potentials: Stimulus parameter recommendations based on rheobase and chronaxie.

Objective: To determine optimal interstimulus interval (ISI) and pulse duration (D) for direct cortical stimulation (DCS) motor evoked potentials (MEPs) based on rheobase and chronaxie derived with two techniques.

Methods: In 20 patients under propofol/remifentanil anesthesia, 5-pulse DCS thenar MEP rheobase and chronaxie with 2, 3, 4 and 5ms ISI were measured by linear regression of five charge thresholds at 0.05, 0.

Utility of motor evoked potentials for intraoperative nerve root monitoring.

There is no entirely satisfactory way to monitor nerve root integrity during spinal surgery. In particular, standard free-running electromyography carries a high false-positive rate and some false-negative rate of injury. Stimulated electromyography to direct root stimulation can only be done intermittently, and roots are often inaccessible.

Mutations in a human ROBO gene disrupt hindbrain axon pathway crossing and morphogenesis.

The mechanisms controlling axon guidance are of fundamental importance in understanding brain development. Growing corticospinal and somatosensory axons cross the midline in the medulla to reach their targets and thus form the basis of contralateral motor control and sensory input. The motor and sensory projections appeared uncrossed in patients with horizontal gaze palsy with progressive scoliosis (HGPPS).

Monitoring scoliosis surgery with combined multiple pulse transcranial electric motor and cortical somatosensory-evoked potentials from the lower and upper extremities.

Study Design: A retrospective case review was performed.

Objective: To assess the value, rapidity, and safety of combined multiple-pulse transcranial electric stimulation motor-evoked potential and somatosensory-evoked potential monitoring during scoliosis surgery.

Summary Of Background Data: Leg somatosensory-evoked potentials can miss motor deficits, and a 50% amplitude warning criterion can produce false alarms.

The effect of intravenous lidocaine on nociceptive processing in diabetic neuropathy.

In a double-blind controlled design, 7 patients with painful diabetic neuropathy received lidocaine 5 mg/kg or saline intravenously over a period of 30 min. Thermal sensibility quantified by thermotest was not affected by lidocaine. In 3 of the patients nociceptive flexion reflex thresholds could be determined.