Recordings of evoked electromyographic responses from the extraocular muscles to monitor the oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens nerve function during skull base and orbital surgery
Sekiya, T.; Iwabuchi, T.; Suzuki, S.; Maeda, S.; Hatayama, T.; Takiguchi, M.
No Shinkei Geka. Neurological Surgery 18(5): 447-451
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0301-2603 PMID: 2385320 Document Number: 362122
The methods to record evoked electromyographic responses by micro malleable clip electrodes applied directly to the extraocular muscles are described. This electrophysiological monitoring enables surgeons to localize the ocular motor nerves accurately in the skull base of the middle, posterior fossa, and orbit. In cavernous sinus surgery, electrical stimulation over the dura elicited vigorous responses from the extraocular muscles and subsequently it was possible for the surgeon to avoid severing the ocular motor nerves. In orbital surgery, distended and thinned extraocular muscles were precisely localized and preserved anatomically and functionally. These monitoring methods may play the same role as electrical stimulation to the facial nerves in acoustic neuroma surgery.