title: Reversible somatosensory evoked potential changes with neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser use.
abstract: Reversible prolongation and dissolution of the tibial somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) was observed with operative use of the neodymium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd:YAG) laser during extirpation of a foramen magnum meningioma. Rapid normalization of the SEP followed irrigation with cool saline. The absence of postoperative dorsal column deficit suggests that heat-related physiological changes occurred before the point of irreversible tissue injury. Should intraoperative SEP monitoring prove a reliable index of tissue temperature, it could enable safer use of the Nd:YAG laser in the vicinity of the spinal cord and brain stem.
authors: Department of Medicine, St. Joseph's Hospital, Savannah, Georgia.
authors: R R
authors: RR
authors: Long
authors: F P
authors: FP
authors: Wirth
mesh_terms: D001932:Brain Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008579:Meningioma / Q000150:complications / Q000601:surgery*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009354:Neodymium; D013977:Tibia / Q000294:innervation / Q000503:physiopathology
chemical_list: D009354:Neodymium