Abstract:

Objective · To explore the value of continuous monitoring of N20 somatosensory evoked potentials for predicting the prognosis of coma patients with traumatic brain injury. Methods · N20 evoked potential data from 35 patients with severe traumatic brain injury whose Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores were ≤8 points were collected. Continuous monitoring was performed with changes in amplitude and prolonged latency of N20 evoked potential as major monitoring indexes. Apart from routine regular monitoring, monitoring was also performed after emergency hematoma removal, before changes in GCS scores, and before and after hydrocephalus shunt surgery and lumbar puncture procedure. Observation and analysis were conducted in conjunction with patient's conditions. Results · The presence of the amplitude of N20 evoked potential and prolonged latency were closely related to patient's conditions. The prognosis of patients with presence of bilateral N20 was favorable. Conditions of patients with presence of unilateral N20 were relatively stable for a long period of time. The prognosis of patients with absence of bilateral N20 was poor. Conclusion · The amplitude and latency of somatosensory evoked potential N20 provide an objective and simple monitoring method for coma patients with traumatic brain injury during neurological intensive care, as well as prognosis analysis in conjunction with intervention measures.

Key words: somatosensory evoked potential, N20, traumatic brain injury, coma, prognosis