title: Sensory physiology assessed by evoked potentials in survivors of poliomyelitis.
abstract: Evidence suggests that sensory loss may occur in a proportion of patients affected by poliomyelitis. We hypothesize that sensory problems may be a lasting sequela in some polio survivors. Sensory pathways in polio survivors were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically using sensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Patients with sensory deficits or abnormal SEPs were further evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty-two patients were studied. The mean age was 64.7 years (age range: 56-81 years). Clinically, sensory impairments were found in 4 patients. Upper limb SEPs were normal. Lower limb SEPs were abnormal in 10 patients. In 1 patient, clinical and electrographic findings correlated with a patch of atrophy in the spinal cord, as shown by MRI. Sensory derangements may be found in a proportion of aging polio survivors. SEP studies may add sensitivity when evaluating sensory function in this cohort. It remains unclear whether these sensory abnormalities are related to remote poliomyelitis. Further studies are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Uniformed Services University, 4301 Jones Bridge Road, Bethesda, Maryland 20814, USA.
authors.forename: Olga A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Prokhorenko
authors.forename: Olavo M
authors.initials: OM
authors.lastname: Vasconcelos
authors.forename: Vitalie D
authors.initials: VD
authors.lastname: Lupu
authors.forename: William W
authors.initials: WW
authors.lastname: Campbell
authors.forename: Bahman
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jabbari
mesh_terms: D000344:Afferent Pathways / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001284:Atrophy / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D001921:Brain / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D018450:Disease Progression; D004558:Electric Stimulation / Q000379:methods; D004569:Electroencephalography / Q000379:methods; D005073:Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009431:Neural Conduction / Q000502:physiology; D011051:Poliomyelitis / Q000150:complications*; D016262:Postpoliomyelitis Syndrome / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D012678:Sensation Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011984:Sensory Receptor Cells / Q000502:physiology; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000473:pathology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D017741:Survivors