Evaluation of traumatic spinal cord edema using evoked potentials recorded from the spinal epidural space

摘要: Spinal cord evoked potentials (SCEP) elicited by simultaneous distal tibial and sural nerve stimulation were continuously recorded from the epidural space at T9 T12 levels of urethane anaesthetized rats before after a unilateral incision (about 3 mm deep 5 long) in right dorsal horn T10-11 segments. The changes SCEP correlated with increase spinal water content measured h injury. In addition, influence serotonin (5-HT) mediating such was explored using pharmacological approach. immediately injury well development edema Thus, maximal negative peak (MNP) amplitude decreased an average 64.0% increased 71.6% (controls) to 77.6% Pretreatment p-CPA (a synthesis inhibitor) prevented initial decrease MNP also (72.5%). On other hand, pretreatment cyproheptadine 5-HT2 receptor antagonist) enhanced both as (81.3%). results show good correlation between magnitude (r = 0.9) findings reveal major role early later demonstrate prognostic value recordings predicting final outcome traumatic injuries.