Prediction of Ambulatory Functions Based on Somatosensory and Motor-Evoked Potentials in Patients with Intracerebral Hemorrhage and Intraventricular Hemorrhage Extension.

Abstract

Objective: This study investigated the usefulness of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEP) and motor-evoked potentials (MEP) in predicting motor outcomes in patients with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH) and intraventricular hemorrhage (IVH) extension.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated 124 patients with ICH and IVH extensions. SEPs of posterior tibial nerve and MEPs of tibialis anterior muscles were evaluated.

Results: About 30% of the patients could walk independently at 6 months from the onset. Patients who exhibited SEP in both bilateral posterior tibial nerves demonstrated better ambulatory function compared to those with SEP in only one unilateral posterior tibial nerve or no SEP in both sides of the posterior tibial nerves. Likewise, patients who displayed MEP in both bilateral tibialis anterior muscles exhibited better ambulatory capacity compared to those with MEP on only one side or no MEP on both sides. In addition, when the posterior tibial nerve SEP was present bilaterally, 54.9% of the patients could walk independently, and when the MEP from the tibialis anterior muscles was present bilaterally, 41.0% of the patients could walk without any assistance.

Conclusion: SEP and MEP could be useful tools for predicting ambulatory function in patients with ICH accompanied by IVH.