Somatosensory evoked potentials

Abstract

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) are electrical potentials generated by various portions of the ascending sensory pathways in response to stimulation of peripheral sensory nerves. SSEPs can be easily elicited and recorded and can be used to examine the functional integrity of somatosensory pathways. This chapter summarizes the methodology for the recording of SSEPs, as well as their role in the evaluation of processes that may affect ascending sensory pathways (e.g., demyelination), and highlights their particular usefulness as an intraoperative tool during spinal cord surgery. © 2007 Humana Press Inc.