Techniques
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Somatosensory Evoked Potentials (SSEPs): These potentials are generated in response to sensory stimuli and provide information about the integrity of sensory pathways from the periphery to the brain. They are useful for assessing the function of the spinal cord and sensory pathways.
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Motor Evoked Potentials (MEP): MEPs are recorded in response to electrical stimulation of motor pathways and provide information about the integrity of these pathways. They help assess motor function and identify lesions in the cortical and spinal motor pathways.
3
Corticobulbar Evoked Potentials (CoPEM): These potentials are generated in response to cortical stimulation and provide information about the integrity of the pathways connecting the cerebral cortex to the brainstem. They are useful for assessing the function of corticospinal and corticonuclear motor pathways.
4
Brainstem Reflexes: These reflexes are recorded to assess the integrity of brainstem pathways and cranial nerve function. They can include the blink reflex, masseter muscle reflex, and other cranial reflexes.
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Brainstem Auditory Evoked Potentials (BAEP): These potentials are generated in response to auditory stimuli and provide information about the integrity of auditory pathways from the peripheral ear to the brainstem.
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Visual Evoked Potentials (VEP): VEPs are recorded in response to visual stimuli and provide information about the integrity of visual pathways from the eye to the visual cortex.
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Electrocochleography (ECochG): This technique is used to assess cochlear function and the integrity of the auditory nerve. It provides information about the electrical activity of the inner ear in response to acoustic stimuli.
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Electromyography (EMG) and Nerve Conduction Monitoring: EMG is used to assess the electrical activity of muscles and the function of peripheral nerves. Nerve conduction monitoring is used to assess the conduction velocity and integrity of peripheral nerve pathways.
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Electroencephalography (EEG) and Electrocorticography (ECoG): EEG records the electrical activity of the brain and is used to assess overall brain function. ECoG records electrical activity directly from the brain surface and is used to assess cortical function during brain surgery.
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Cortical and Subcortical Motor Mapping: These techniques are used to identify and preserve motor areas of the brain during surgery. Cortical mapping involves direct electrical stimulation of the cerebral cortex to identify motor areas, while subcortical mapping involves electrical stimulation of subcortical motor pathways to preserve them during, for example, tumor resections.