The spinal cord ischemia detected by evoked potentials: The first pediatric scoliosis surgical case report in Taiwan

Abstract

While iatrogenic neurologic deficits peri-operatively are possible in pediatric scoliosis correction, postoperative deficits are relatively more common in adolescents with early onset scoliosis (EOS) under maximal correction. For early prevention of the spinal cord at risk during surgery, the neurophysiologic intraoperative monitoring (NIOM) plays a critical role. This article will present a case about spinal cord ischemia injury detected by NIOM of a twelve-year-old girl with EOS. The application of NIOM and monitoring the spinal cord ischemia in pediatric scoliosis surgery should be considered essential for surgical quality and patient's safety via early detection of neurophysiologic signals change. In sum, the profession of NIOM should be introduced and promoted into the clinical practice in Taiwan in the future.