Can J Neurol Sci
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Case Reports
Giant Somatosensory Evoked Potentials Coincident With Epileptiform Discharges in Acutely Comatose Patients.
The amplitude of the cortically generated somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) is used to predict outcome in comatose patients. The relationship between epileptiform discharges and SSEP amplitude has not been elucidated in those patients. ⋯ Epileptiform discharges were associated with giant cortically generated median nerve SSEP amplitude (tranexamic acid was implicated in patient 1 and anoxic brain injury in patient 2). Accordingly, those who use the amplitude of cortically generated SSEPs for predicting outcome in comatose patients should consider the presence of epileptiform discharges (detected by EEG) as a potential confounding factor.