Which settings are typical for brainstem tEMG?

The typical settings for brainstem tEMG (triggered electromyography) are designed to optimize the detection of small facial and other cranial nerve responses during surgical procedures. The choice of parameters, including type (monopolar vs. bipolar), intensity, pulse width (PW), and frequency, plays a critical role in achieving accurate monitoring.

In this context, selecting a monopolar type at an intensity of 2.0 mA, with a pulse width of 0.2 ms and a frequency range of 1-4 Hz aligns well with the required specifications for effectively capturing and analyzing brainstem responses. Monopolar configuration allows for a larger spatial sampling area over the nerve, which is particularly beneficial when monitoring brainstem activity where responses may be subtle.

The intensity of 2.0 mA is sufficient to elicit a response without causing unnecessary discomfort or damage, and the pulse width of 0.2 ms ensures an adequate duration of stimulation for reliable elicitation of the nerve response. Furthermore, the frequency range of 1-4 Hz is suitable for monitoring the slower rhythm of the brainstem activity, which can be critical in intraoperative monitoring scenarios.

These settings make the monitored responses clearer and more interpretable in the