Monitoring of motor and somatosensory systems in a 26-week pregnant woman

Acta Neurochir (Wien). 2010 Jul;152(7):1231-4. doi: 10.1007/s00701-009-0585-x. Epub 2010 Jan 19.

Abstract

Introduction: We report the case of a 34-year-old woman who was 26 weeks pregnant and needed a brain surgery.

Methods: We performed intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) with motor-evoked potentials (MEP) elicited by transcranial electrical stimulation and somatosensory-evoked potentials (SSEP). Additionally, uterine myometric tone from the mother and fetal heart rate were also monitored. Forty-three MEP and 35 SSEP trains were applied (energy delivered, 2.35 and 0.45 J, respectively).

Findings: No changes related to electrical stimulation in either uterine muscle tone or fetal heart rate were observed. No motor or new somatosensory deficits appeared.

Conclusion: Our findings suggest that IONM can be safely applied in pregnant women.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Electric Stimulation / adverse effects
  • Electric Stimulation / methods
  • Electroencephalography / adverse effects
  • Electroencephalography / methods*
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology*
  • Evoked Potentials, Somatosensory / physiology
  • Female
  • Glioma / pathology
  • Glioma / surgery
  • Humans
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / adverse effects
  • Monitoring, Intraoperative / methods*
  • Neural Pathways / pathology
  • Neural Pathways / physiopathology
  • Neural Pathways / surgery
  • Neurosurgical Procedures / methods*
  • Pregnancy
  • Pregnancy Complications / etiology*
  • Pregnancy Complications / prevention & control*
  • Risk Assessment
  • Treatment Outcome