Table 2

Neurological outcome of patients with decompressive craniectomy at discharge and after 6 months compared with somatosensory evoked potentials of the median nerve (M-SEP) before and after craniectomy
Patient	Neurological status (on demission)	Neurological status (6 months post-trauma)	M-SEP (prior to craniectomy)	M-SEP (first week after craniectomy)

1	Normal	Normal	Not tested	Moderate impairment (right)
2	Normal	Normal	Severe impairment (right)	Normal
3	Left-sided hemiparesis, VP shunt (PTH)	Distinct improvement of hemiparesis predominantly of the left arm, VP shunt removed	Not tested	Severe impairment (right)
4	Central impairment of coordination with tremor and ataxia; predominantly right-sided spasticity; speech retardation	Residual spasticity but not impaired in motor skills; visits a normal school	Moderate impairment (right), severe impairment (left)	Mild impairment (left)
5	Normal	Normal	Not tested	Normal
6	Hemiparesis predominatly of the right arm; left-sided abducent nerve paresis; impairment of swallowing and speech	Rehabilitation	Mild impairment (right), moderate impairment (left)	Severe impairment (left)

PTH, post-traumatic hydrocephalus; VP shunt, ventriculo–peritoneal shunt.
Ruf et al. Critical Care 2003 7:R133 doi:10.1186/cc2361