The Relation of Somatosensory Evoked Potentials to Central Post-stroke Pain.

, Kim, Min Young; , Kim, Sung Hyun; , Cho, Ki Ho; , Chae, Yu Jin

Original Article

Journal of the Korean Academy of Rehabilitation Medicine 2007;31(2):169-175.

Kim, Min Young , Kim, Sung Hyun , Cho, Ki Ho , Chae, Yu Jin

Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Pochon CHA University College of Medicine, Korea. jidda74@naver.com

뇌졸중 후 중추성 통증과 체성감각유발전위의 관계

김민영, 김성현, 조기호, 채유진

포천중문의과대학교 재활의학교실

Abstract

Objective
To find out the clinical features of central post-stroke pain (CPSP) and how somatosensory evoked potentials (SEPs) are affected in patients with CPSP.
Method
One hundred and one patients with stroke who showed normal results in nerve conduction study, were enrolled. SEPs were evoked by electrical stimulation of the median and tibial nerves. The results of the SEPs in the CPSP group were compared with those in the non-CPSP group. Brain SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography) was examined and thalamic involvement in SPECT was compared between the groups.
Results
Seventeen patients met the diagnostic criteria of CPSP. Nine patients showed normal findings in SEP. Abnormal findings in SEP were not related to the development of CPSP, but those who showed no response in SEP had significantly higher chance of developing CPSP. Thalamic involvement in SPECT was found in thirteen patients with CPSP, but was not related to the development of CPSP.
Conclusion
Stroke patients who showed severe abnormality in SEP seem to be more likely to have CPSP. Therefore, SEP is thought to be helpful in the prediction of CPSP. (J Korean Acad Rehab Med 2007; 31: 169-175)

Key Words: Central pain, Somatosensory evoked potentials, Neuropathic pain, Stroke