Diagnostic utility of somatosensory and motor evoked potentials in a patient with thoracic outlet syndrome.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the utility of somatosensory and motor evoked potentials in the diagnosis of neurogenic thoracic outlet syndrome (TOS).


METHODS
In a female patient with progressive weakness and sensory disturbance, ulnar nerve somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP), and intraoperative motor evoked potential (MEP) were performed.


RESULTS
The SSEPs demonstrated no significant change in latency of major peaks at rest and after abduction of the shoulder. Diminishment of amplitude was noted after dynamic position of the arm. The MEPs demonstrated no significant change in latency after dynamic position. Diminishment of amplitude was noted after the dynamic position. The amplitude returned to normal after repositioning the arm.


CONCLUSIONS
Electrophysiologic study is helpful in the diagnosis of neurogenic TOS. Reduced amplitude of cortical SSEP and myogenic MEP is expected during dynamic position of the affected arm.
Haghighi
S S
SS
Department of Clinical Neurodiagnostic, Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California, USA. Siavash.haghighi@sharp.com
Baradarian
S
S
Zhang
R
R
D000328:Adult; D003937:Diagnosis, Differential; D019054:Evoked Potentials, Motor / Q000502:physiology*; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000209:etiology; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D013901:Thoracic Outlet Syndrome / Q000150:complications / Q000175:diagnosis*