SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS FAIL TO DIAGNOSE THORACIC OUTLET SYNDROME

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are used in the diagnosis of th oracic outlet syndrome (TOS), even as an indication for surgery. The p urpose of this study was to evaluate the use of SEPs in the diagnosis of TOS. Twenty-one patients (mean age, 37 years) with TOS and 23 contr ol subjects (mean age, 34 years) were included. Somatosensory evoked p otentials of median and ulnar nerves were measured bilaterally in pati ents in both a relaxed and arms-elevated provocative position. A three -way analysis of variance showed no significant difference between the interpeak latencies of the TOS and control groups (p = .352). Signifi cant differences were found in testing positions (p = .0014) and nerve tested (p = .001) in both groups. Therefore, this study suggests that SEPs are not helpful in the diagnosis of TOS.