Nervemonitoring

Nerve monitoring, also known as intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM), is a technique used during surgical procedures to assess the integrity of the nervous system. It involves using electrical and physiological signals to detect and prevent potential neurological damage to nerves, spinal cord, or brain. Specialized equipment is used to record these signals, which can be stimulated or evoked. Common modalities include electroencephalography (EEG) to monitor brain activity, somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs) to track sensory pathways, motor evoked potentials (MEPs) to assess motor pathways, and electromyography (EMG) to evaluate muscle responses. A trained technologist or neurologist typically operates the monitoring equipment and interprets the data in real-time, communicating any significant changes to the surgical team. These changes can alert surgeons to potential nerve compromise, allowing them to modify their surgical approach to minimize the risk of permanent neurological deficits. Nerve monitoring is frequently employed in surgeries involving the spine, brain, peripheral nerves, and major blood vessels. Its primary goal is to enhance patient safety by providing continuous feedback on nervous system function throughout the operation.