Clinical neurophysiology : official journal of the International Federation of Clinical Neurophysiology
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To study motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to multi-pulse transcranial electrical stimulation (MP-TES) during orthopaedic spinal surgery under different anaesthetic regimens. ⋯ Muscle MEPs to MP-TES are a safe, sensitive and reliable method for monitoring motor pathways during propofol/nitrous oxide and fentanyl or remifentanil anaesthesia. MEPs are also obtainable in the majority of patients during isoflurane/nitrous oxide anaesthesia, but quantitative monitoring is not always possible with this regimen.
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To investigate the mechanism of prolonged central motor conduction time (CMCT) in compressive cervical myelopathy, we compared the calculated CMCT following transcranial magnetic stimulation (TCM) and evoked spinal cord potentials (ESCPs) following transcranial electric stimulation (TCE). ⋯ Prolonged CMCT may occur with only a minor amount of conduction slowing in the corticospinal tract in compressive cervical myelopathy. Impaired temporal summation of multiple descending potentials following TCM produced delays of motor neuron firing that contribute to the mechanism of prolonged CMCT.