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Sensory physiology assessed by evoked potentials in survivors of poliomyelitis
Author(s) -
Prokhorenko Olga A.,
Vasconcelos Olavo M.,
Lupu Vitalie D.,
Campbell William W.,
Jabbari Bahman
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
muscle and nerve
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.025
H-Index - 145
eISSN - 1097-4598
pISSN - 0148-639X
DOI - 10.1002/mus.21093
Subject(s) - sequela , sensory system , medicine , atrophy , spinal cord , poliomyelitis , magnetic resonance imaging , upper limb , sensory loss , physical medicine and rehabilitation , neuroscience , surgery , psychology , pathology , radiology , psychiatry
Evidence suggests that sensory loss may occur in a proportion of patients affected by poliomyelitis. We hypothesize that sensory problems may be a lasting sequela in some polio survivors. Sensory pathways in polio survivors were evaluated clinically and electrophysiologically using sensory evoked potentials (SEPs). Patients with sensory deficits or abnormal SEPs were further evaluated by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Twenty‐two patients were studied. The mean age was 64.7 years (age range: 56–81 years). Clinically, sensory impairments were found in 4 patients. Upper limb SEPs were normal. Lower limb SEPs were abnormal in 10 patients. In 1 patient, clinical and electrographic findings correlated with a patch of atrophy in the spinal cord, as shown by MRI. Sensory derangements may be found in a proportion of aging polio survivors. SEP studies may add sensitivity when evaluating sensory function in this cohort. It remains unclear whether these sensory abnormalities are related to remote poliomyelitis. Further studies are necessary. Muscle Nerve 38: 1266–1271, 2008