Authors: Kenshi Imoto Tsuneo Takebayashi Kunihito Kanaya Satoshi Kawaguchi Genichirou Katahira Toshihiko Yamashita
Publish Date: 2007/01/03
Volume: 16, Issue: 7, Pages: 971-975
Abstract
A Neurometer device is an electrical nerve stimulator used to determine the current perception threshold CPT evoked by stimulating Abeta fibers at 2000 Hz Adelta fibers at 250 Hz and C fibers at 5 Hz CPT evaluation is used for analyzing peripheral nerve dysfunction In this study the sensory disturbance of the lowerextremity was quantitatively analyzed using CPT testing before and after lumbar discectomy In 33 patients L4/5 16 and L5/S 17 as subjective evaluations tactile sensation and leg pain were assessed before and 2 weeks after surgery In the subjectively improved group n = 22 significant decreases in CPT at 2000 and 250 Hz were noted postoperatively whereas in the unchanged group n = 11 no significant changes in CPT at any frequencies was noted The leg pain improved in all patients Likewise CPT at 5 Hz which stimulated C fiber decreased significantly for both improved and unchanged groups CPT measured by a Neurometer is very useful in assessing lowerextremity sensory functions before and after surgery for lumbar disc herniation
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