Der Nervenarzt
-
The clinical examination of patients with spinal cord injury can be supplemented by electrophysiological techniques (somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP), motor-evoked potentials (MEP), electroneurography) to assess the extent and severity of a spinal cord injury. As essential advantage of these techniques in comparison with the clinical examination is that they can be reliably applied even in uncooperative patients. These techniques allow an early prognosis of the functional deficit in patients with acute spinal cord injury. ⋯ This is of prognostic value with regard to the development of muscle tone and consequently for planning therapy. The electrophysiological examinations are of complementary value in the diagnostic assessment of spinal cord lesions, in the prediction of functional outcome, and in monitoring the course of neurological deficits. This is helpful for planning and selection of appropriate therapeutic approaches (e.g. functional electrical stimulation, application of botulinum toxin, splinting procedures) within the rehabilitation programme.