OBJECTIVE: To study interobserver variation in the interpretation of median nerve SSEPs in patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma. METHODS: SSEPs of 56 consecutive patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma were interpreted independently by 5 experienced clinical neurophysiologists using guidelines derived from a pilot study. Interobserver agreement was expressed as kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Kappa ranged from 0.20 to 0.65 (mean 0.52, SD 0.14). Disagreement was related with noise level and failure to adhere strictly to the guidelines in 15 cases. The presence or absence of N13 and cortical peaks caused disagreement in 5 cases each. For recordings with a noise level of 0.25 microV or more, mean kappa was 0.34; for recordings with a noise level below 0.25 microV mean kappa was 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement for SSEPs in anoxic-ischaemic coma was only moderate. Since the noise level strongly influenced interobserver variation, utmost attention should be given to its reduction. If an artefact level over 0.25 microV remains, absence of N20 cannot be judged with sufficient certainty and the SSEP should be repeated at a later stage. SIGNIFICANCE: Because of its moderate interobserver agreement, great care has to be given to accurate recording and interpretation of SSEPs before using the recordings for non-treatment decisions.
OBJECTIVE: To study interobserver variation in the interpretation of median nerve SSEPs in patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma. METHODS: SSEPs of 56 consecutive patients with anoxic-ischaemic coma were interpreted independently by 5 experienced clinical neurophysiologists using guidelines derived from a pilot study. Interobserver agreement was expressed as kappa coefficients. RESULTS: Kappa ranged from 0.20 to 0.65 (mean 0.52, SD 0.14). Disagreement was related with noise level and failure to adhere strictly to the guidelines in 15 cases. The presence or absence of N13 and cortical peaks caused disagreement in 5 cases each. For recordings with a noise level of 0.25 microV or more, mean kappa was 0.34; for recordings with a noise level below 0.25 microV mean kappa was 0.74. CONCLUSIONS: Interobserver agreement for SSEPs in anoxic-ischaemic coma was only moderate. Since the noise level strongly influenced interobserver variation, utmost attention should be given to its reduction. If an artefact level over 0.25 microV remains, absence of N20 cannot be judged with sufficient certainty and the SSEP should be repeated at a later stage. SIGNIFICANCE: Because of its moderate interobserver agreement, great care has to be given to accurate recording and interpretation of SSEPs before using the recordings for non-treatment decisions.
Authors: M J A Kamps; J Horn; M Oddo; J E Fugate; C Storm; T Cronberg; C A Wijman; O Wu; J M Binnekade; C W E Hoedemaekers Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2013-06-26 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Claudio Sandroni; Sonia D'Arrigo; Sofia Cacciola; Cornelia W E Hoedemaekers; Marlijn J A Kamps; Mauro Oddo; Fabio S Taccone; Arianna Di Rocco; Frederick J A Meijer; Erik Westhall; Massimo Antonelli; Jasmeet Soar; Jerry P Nolan; Tobias Cronberg Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2020-09-11 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Aline Bouwes; Patty G G Doesborg; D Martin Laman; Johannes H T M Koelman; Jaap G Imanse; Selma C Tromp; Björn M van Geel; Elly L van der Kooi; Eveline G J Zandbergen; Janneke Horn Journal: Neurocrit Care Date: 2013-08 Impact factor: 3.210
Authors: Jerry P Nolan; Claudio Sandroni; Bernd W Böttiger; Alain Cariou; Tobias Cronberg; Hans Friberg; Cornelia Genbrugge; Kirstie Haywood; Gisela Lilja; Véronique R M Moulaert; Nikolaos Nikolaou; Theresa Mariero Olasveengen; Markus B Skrifvars; Fabio Taccone; Jasmeet Soar Journal: Intensive Care Med Date: 2021-03-25 Impact factor: 17.440
Authors: Aline Bouwes; Daniël van Poppelen; Johannes H T M Koelman; Michael A Kuiper; Durk F Zandstra; Henry C Weinstein; Selma C Tromp; Eveline G J Zandbergen; Marina A J Tijssen; Janneke Horn Journal: BMC Neurol Date: 2012-08-01 Impact factor: 2.474