SOMATOSENSORY-EVOKED POTENTIALS IN ACUTE NEUROLOGICAL DECOMPRESSION ILLNESS

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) were recorded on posterior tib ial nerve stimulation during compression in 21 episodes of acute neuro logical decompression illness (DCI) involving 20 patients. A further t wo cases were monitored immediately after treatment only. The results were compared with previously published normal data from this laborato ry and with recordings obtained during the compression of four normal volunteers. Compression had no effect on SSEPs in normal subjects. SSE P latency abnormalities were found in 17 of the episodes of DCI. An SS EP improvement at final recording was noted in 7 of the 11 episodes wh ich were monitored during treatment and classified initially as neurop hysiologically abnormal. SSEPs may assist in the diagnosis of DCI.