Influence of electrode setup on detection of pathological EMG activity during intraoperative continuous monitoring of facial nerve function

Objective: Conventional facial nerve EMG monitoring during acoustic neuroma removal is based on two-channel recording with a large inter-electrode distance in order to cover pathological EMG train activity from all facial muscles. The authors investigate the influence of electrode setup on the sensitivity for „A-train activity“ during monitoring. Electrode setups with small (SD) and large inter-electrode distances (LD) are compared. Methods: 7 patients who underwent removal of acoustic neuromas were examined. During surgery 3 channel free-running EMG was recorded from the orbicular oris, nasal and orbicular ocul…