Which SSEP component would be most affected by a tumor in the spinal cord/medulla intersection?

The most affected component in the context of a tumor at the spinal cord/medulla intersection is indeed the N13 wave. This wave represents central processing of somatosensory information and originates from the spinal cord and lower brainstem regions, making it particularly vulnerable to any lesions or compression in those areas, such as tumors.

When a tumor is present at the intersection of the spinal cord and medulla, it can disrupt the pathways that contribute to generating the N13 response. This disruption can lead to either a complete absence of the wave or significant changes in amplitude and latency, which are critical in intraoperative monitoring, as they indicate how well the nervous system is functioning in response to sensory stimuli.

Other components such as the N20, P14, and Erb's point capture different areas of sensory processing. N20 originates from the primary somatosensory cortex and would likely remain intact unless there are more widespread brain effects. The P14 wave is produced from the cervical spinal cord and is more related to peripheral input. Erb's point reflects brachial plexus activity and is close to the shoulder girdle. While these components may show some changes depending on the extent and location of the tumor, it is the N13 that will