Can an SSEP evoked potential tests be abnormal in chiari malformation?

[oliviamarie12345]

Can an SSEP evoked potential tests be abnormal in chiari malformation/syringomyelia?

[selmaS]

HI and welcome to the Chiari forum.

May I ask, did ur DS get a chiari dx last yr?....and what symptoms is he currently having?

Many drs do not recognize chiari as needing attention or treatment...so a true chiari specialist is a must.Plus depending on ur DS's age u will want a dr that specializes in pediatric chiari.

I am so happy to have u join our little family here, so sorry the reason u had to seek us out.

"selma"

[*Stormy*]

Hello

I sort of have a bit different experience...

I had evoked nerve potential tests on me and for the most part they came out normal and I was DEFINTELY symptomatic..

The problem was that they did it laying down when I wasn't exerting any energy..all my problems happened when I would get up to walk and all my muscles would spasm.. I had numbness and tingling all over too.

The funny thing was at the time they had trouble doing it b/c my fingers and toes would NOT relax..I couldn't help it.. So they really had to up the voltage and still couldn't get my toes to twitch so they sort of gave up. So for some they didn't even get a reading..

Also for the visual I couldn't make my eyes stay focused long enough to get a good reading either. The frustrating part was, no one put that in the report!!

My NS told me that those nerve studies were not a good way to dx Chiari...

Hope that helps!
Carolyn

[kslkgor]

Hi,
My son had an SSEP done that came back abnormal. They repeated the test and it came back abnormal again. So they did another MRI and found that his spinal fluid flow is now completely blocked. It was not blocked the last time we had an MRI a year ago. We go to the neurosurgeon on Tuesday to see what he thinks.

[youngwife]

Hello!

From what I can tell, it seems like usually they are abnormal in symptomatic patients.  So, I guess the answer to your question would be "yes".

But, I would NOT use that test to diagnose Chiari.  The patient would need to be seen by a Chiari specialist if Chiari is suspected.

I hope this is helpful for you,
Rebecca