바늘 전극을 이용한 갑상선 수술 중 신경모니터링 문제 해결 1례

A case of troubleshooting in a patient showing decreased amplitude during intraoperative neuromonitoring for thyroidectomy

False positive loss of signal or decrease in amplitude may lead to inappropriate interpretation of the intraoperative neuromonitoring (IONM) during thyroidectomy. Needle electrode has been introduced as an alternative method to conventional electromyogram (EMG) tube, preventing such problem with less medical cost. In this brief case report, we introduce the usefulness of needle electrodes to be applied during IONM for thyroidectomy with a conventional EMG tube, when false positive decrease of amplitude is identified. Needle electrodes may be helpful to predict the vocal cord function in such cases and let the surgeon decide the surgical extent in patients with thyroid cancer.