INTRAOPERATIVE NEUROPHYSIOLOGY


Rapid developments in neuroscience, especially within the past two decades, have fueled the growth of intraop- erative neurophysiologic monitoring and mapping, also known as IOM or IONM, as a new and exciting field. By offering early detection of reversible neurophysi- ologic dysfunction during surgery, neuro-monitoring allows prompt intervention and prevents the occurrence of permanent neurological damage. Similarly, neuro- mapping allows identification with subsequent preserva- tion of functionally viable nervous tissue. Thus, the most important role of intraoperative neurophysiology is the promise of improving neurological outcome after sur- gery. It also provides prognostic information about clini- cal outcomes and allows determination of the time when and mechanism through which an injury occurred. This helps the surgeon to identify those surgical maneuvers or instruments that introduce additional risks. However, there is much still to be learned and discovered, making this field not only of immediate clinical interest but also a tremendous resource for research. 


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