intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring
Also written as: IONM — Intraoperative Neurophysiological Monitoring
Real-time monitoring of nervous system function during surgery to detect and prevent neurological injury.
Full Definition
Intraoperative neurophysiological monitoring (IONM) encompasses a range of electrophysiological techniques used during surgery to assess the functional integrity of neural structures in real-time. Common modalities include somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEPs), motor evoked potentials (MEPs), brainstem auditory evoked responses (BAERs), and electromyography (EMG). IONM is particularly valuable in procedures involving the spinal cord, brain stem, cranial nerves, and eloquent brain regions. The monitoring allows surgeons to modify their technique if neural function is compromised, potentially preventing permanent neurological deficits. A trained neurophysiologist typically interprets the signals and communicates significant changes to the surgical team.
Usage
Usage note: Commonly abbreviated as IONM in medical documentation.
In Context
- "IONM demonstrated stable signals throughout the spinal tumor resection." — Operative report
- "Loss of motor evoked potentials during IONM prompted immediate surgical modification." — Intraoperative communication