[Clinical application of TMS-MEP in spinal cord injury].
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate transcranial magnetic stimulation motor evoked potential (TMS-MEP) in the diagnosis of spinal cord injury.


METHODS
56 patients with injury of the spinal cord and cauda equina were examined using TMS-MEP and followed up.


RESULTS
In 21 patients with complete paralysis, TMS-MEP of bilateral tibialis anterior and gastrocnemius disappeared and paralysis did not recover. Abnormal was noted TMS-MEP and paralysis not recovered in 2 patients with injury of conus medullaris and cauda equina. Incomplete paralysis occurred in 35 patients. TMS-MEPs of more than one muscle in every patient were recorded. Paralysis and TMS-MEPs recovered in different degree in the 33 patients, in which the strength was 0 class and TMS-MEPs were abnormal in 25 target muscles before operation whereas their strength obviously recovered or even normalized after operation except two muscles.


CONCLUSIONS
TMS-MEP is an effective method for diagnosis and prognosis of spinal cord injury.
Li
F
F
Department of Orthopedics, First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-Sen University of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou 510080.
Chen
Y
Y
Wan
Y
Y
Chen
L
L
He
A
A
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013119:Spinal Cord Injuries / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology