Magnetic stimulation of the sacral roots.

Magnetic stimulation using an external surface coil induces an electrodynamic field that penetrates various tissues and stimulates peripheral nerves in a similar fashion to conventional electrical stimulation. An 83 mm magnetic surface coil was used to stimulate 11 spinal cord injury (SCI) patients, during which time detrusor activity and evoked potentials of the striated urinary sphincter motor pathways were evaluated. All patients had urodynamic studies and conventional sacral evoked potentials prior to magnetic stimulation. The mean bladder capacity was 337 ml (range 109-590), mean leak point pressure was 50 cm H2O (range 10-80), and mean sacral reflex (afferent-efferent) latency was 37.9 ms (range 25.1-49.3). Eight patients had detrusor-sphincter dyssynergia. Magnetic stimulation over the sacral spine at different bladder volumes was performed. Detrusor and striated sphincter responses were recorded during stimulation. In all patients the technique was easy and the results were reproducible. The mean sacral motor pathway (efferent) latency was 27.9 ms (range 18.7-39.6). Using maximal stimulation, no detrusor response was recorded at bladder volumes < 200 ml. However, a detrusor response was recorded in 7 patients (> 10 cm H2O in 2, < 10 cm H2O in 5) when the bladder volume was > 200 ml. No complications were seen. Sacral evoked potential measurements assess the function and integrity of the sacral arc but it does not distinguish between afferent and efferent pathways. Magnetic stimulation is a safe and effective method to assess the integrity and function of the detrusor and striated sphincter motor (efferent) pathways. When combined with sacral evoked potential studies, the sensory (afferent) pathways can be evaluated indirectly.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)