• Vera Lagerburg, Mayienne Bakkers, Anne Bouwhuis, Janneke G J Hoeijmakers, Arjen M Smit, Sofia J M Van Den Berg, Ineke Hordijk-De Boer, Mardien D G Brouwer-Van Der Lee, Douwe Kranendonk, Jos P H Reulen, Catharina G Faber, and Ingemar S J Merkies.
• Department of Clinical Physics, Catharina Hospital, Eindhoven, The Netherlands.
• Muscle Nerve. 2015 May 1;51(5):743-9.

IntroductionContact heat evoked potentials (CHEPs) may be an objective, non-invasive diagnostic tool in small-fiber neuropathy (SFN). This study establishes normal CHEP values and examines their applicability in SFN patients.MethodsStandardized CHEPs were administered at the wrist and ankle. The N2 and P2 latencies and N2 -P2 peak-peak amplitude were recorded by electroencephalography. We examined healthy subjects (n = 97), stratified by age and gender, and SFN patients with abnormal intraepidermal nerve fiber density (n = 42). CHEP reproducibility and interobserver values were also investigated.ResultsCHEP normative values were determined. There was a 9-16% increase in latency per centimeter of height with increasing age. Amplitudes were higher in women than men, and decreased (17-71%) with aging. Test-retest reproducibility and interobserver values were >0.61 and >0.96, respectively. CHEPs were abnormal in 73.8% of the patients.ConclusionIn this study we have established normal values, reliability, and clinical applicability of CHEPs in SFN.© 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

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