Neural Monitoring: The Prevention of Intraoperative Injury (Neurotrauma) - Hardcover

Salzman, Steven K.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0896031896 ISBN 13: 9780896031890

Publisher: Humana Press Inc., 1990

Synopsis

The symposium from which this book originates represents a sig­ nificant watershed in the field of intraoperative neural monitoring, since the participants concluded that electrophysiologic monitoring techniques should be considered a "standard of care" for surgical pro­ cedures that place the central nervous system (CNS) at risk for injury. Specifically, it was agreed that the somatosensory-evoked potential (SEP) is a remarkably reliable and sensitive indicator of several aspects of CNS function, and should be routinely employed as an intraopera­ tive monitor during many neurosurgical and orthopedic procedures. The significance of this conclusion cannot be overstated, for at the time of this writing, intraoperative monitoring methods based on evoked-potential analyses are still considered experimental and are not in routine use. The reasons for this are not clear, given the accu­ mulation of literature and expertise on this subject over the past five years. Granted, the cost of electrophysiological monitoring equip­ ment is high, but only initially. The benefits of injury prevention far outweigh these costs, from both medical and economic viewpoints. It is our sincere hope and goal that the medical community be made aware of the value of intraoperative neural monitoring.

About this title

Synopsis

Acute spinal injury, although relatively uncommon, can result in serious loss of motor and sensory function, and is thus one of the most catastrophic medical conditions. In the work first reported here, it has been demonstrated that intraoperative neural monitoring by electrophysiological means should now be considered standard care for surgical procedures that carry risk of CNS injury. Neural Monitoring covers many new developments in the prevention and treatment of spinal cord injury, especially the use of somatosensory-evoked potentials (SEPs) and motor-evoked potentials (MEPs), in patient monitoring during many neurosurgical and orthopedic procedures. Although still largely considered experimental and not in routine use, intraoperative monitoring techniques using evoked-potential analyses are here shown to have a clear benefit in the prevention of injury to the patient. Experts in all aspects of neural monitoring have contributed chapters covering: neural substrates of normal somatosensory-evoked potentials mechanisms of evoked potential responses to injury clinical experience with somatosensory-evoked potentials cerebrocortical and spinal motor monitors future trends.

Salzman's new book on Neural Monitoring is at the cutting edge of this exciting, high-powered new field and holds the promise of a bright future for new techniques to prevent CNS injury during surgery. It is an indispensable resource for all neurosurgeons, neurologists, orthopedic surgeons, and other specialists concerned with improving patients' chances for survival and drastic reduction of surgical risk.

Edition details

• Publisher: Humana Press Inc.
• Publication date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0896031896
• ISBN 13: 9780896031890
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 336