Use of multi-modality intraoperative monitoring during carotid endarterectomy surgery: a case study.

Carotid artery stenosis is a major risk factor leading to cerebral infarct, transient ischemic attack (TIA), and ischemic stroke in the United States. While carotid endarterectomy (CEA) surgery has been established as an effective treatment option for severe carotid artery stenosis, many risks remain inherent in performing this procedure. Surgeons will often utilize various intraoperative monitoring techniques in an effort to reduce surgical complications and morbidity. The usefulness of continuous EEG and somatosensory evoked potential (SSEP) monitoring during CEA surgery has been examined by many groups over the last couple decades. The following case review clearly proves that such monitoring is an effective tool in the detection of cerebral ischemic changes and is therefore feasible in CEA surgery.