[Laser evoked potentials as a method of evaluating the function of small fibres - application technique and clinical implications].

Laser evoked potentials (LEPs) are one of the few neurophysiological methods available whose purpose is to evaluate the functions of small fibres' sensory pathways Ad and C. This non-invasive technique is applied at the present time in diagnosing small fibre neuropathy. In order to record distinctive and repetitive evoked potentials from the surface of the skull, the skin of the dorsal surface of the hands and feet is stimulated with laser thermal, nociceptive stimuli. The main cortical laser-evoked potential is a complex of components N2-P2. Evaluation of the registered potentials in- cludes their morphology with shape, latency and amplitude. Up to now, laser evoked potentials have not been performed in Poland.