Intraoperative neurophysiologic monitoring: focus on cervical myelopathy and related issues.

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: The use of neurophysiologic monitoring during surgical procedures for cervical spondylotic myelopathy (CSM) is controversial. PURPOSE: The aim of this article is to review the literature regarding various monitoring techniques as applied to the patient with CSM. STUDY DESIGN/METHODS: A systematic literature review. CONCLUSIONS: Neurophysiologic monitoring is a diagnostic tool for assessment of neurologic function during cervical spine surgery. Recording of somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), transcranial electrical motor evoked potentials (tceMEPs), and electromyograms (EMGs) may be useful as these monitoring modalities provide complementary information.