Intraoperative Deterioration of Neurophysiological Potentials of the Spinal Tracts in Cervical Spine Surgery: Correlation With Patient-Related and Procedure-Related Variables.

Purpose: To identify characteristics associated with higher incidence of intraoperative deterioration of neurophysiological potentials related to spinal tracts in cervical spine surgeries.

Methods: Electrophysiological raw data and neurophysiological case reports of 1,611 patients from multiple medical centers, who underwent cervical spine surgery for decompression and/or fusion, were retrospectively reviewed. Patient-related and procedure-related variables were identified and analyzed for correlation with intraoperative neurophysiological event of the spinal tracts.

Intraoperative monitoring of corticospinal tracts in anterior cervical decompression and fusion surgery: Excitability differentials of lower extremity muscles.

Objective: This study examines and compares excitability characteristics of tibialis anterior (TA) and abductor hallucis (AH) transcranial motor evoked potentials (tcMEP) during anterior cervical decompression and fusion (ACDF) surgery.

Methods: Electrophysiological and clinical data of 89 patients who underwent ACDF procedure were retrospectively reviewed. TcMEP data of TA and AH muscles from 178 limbs were analyzed for availability, robustness and stability during the procedure.

Multiple cervical levels: increased risk of dysphagia and dysphonia during anterior cervical discectomy.

Background: Anterior cervical discectomy (ACD) is widely used for symptomatic cervical spine pathologies. The most common complications associated with this type of surgery are dysphagia and dysphonia; however, the risk factors associated with them have not been adequately elucidated. The purpose of this study is to assess the incidence of self-reported dysphagia and dysphonia and the associated risk factors after ACD.

Myokymia in obstetrically related brachial plexopathy.

Myokymic discharges are spontaneous bursts of semirhythmic potentials that are sometimes correlated with rippling movements of skin and muscle. They have been reported in limb muscles in patients with Guillain-Barré syndrome, spinal stenosis, nerve root and nerve compression, and envenomations. They commonly occur with radiation induced plexopathies (approximately 60% of patients), but have not been reported in obstetrically related brachial plexopathies.