Detection of brainstem lesions in multiple sclerosis: comparison of brainstem auditory evoked potentials with nuclear magnetic resonance imaging
Corresponding Author
K. Baum
Department of Neurology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Address Dr. K. Baum Neurological Department Free University of Berlin Eschenallee 3 1000 Berlin 19Search for more papers by this authorW. Scheuler
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorU. Hegerl
Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorW. Girke
Department of Neurology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorW. Schörner
Radiology, Clinics of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery and Neurology, Radiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
K. Baum
Department of Neurology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Address Dr. K. Baum Neurological Department Free University of Berlin Eschenallee 3 1000 Berlin 19Search for more papers by this authorW. Scheuler
Department of Clinical Neurophysiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorU. Hegerl
Department of Clinical Psychophysiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorW. Girke
Department of Neurology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorW. Schörner
Radiology, Clinics of Neurology and Psychiatry, Neurosurgery and Neurology, Radiology, Free University of Berlin, West Germany
Search for more papers by this authorAbstract
ABSTRACT— Topographical information provided by brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) was investigated in 43 patients by comparison with cerebral nuclear magnetic resonance imaging (NMR). Lesions in the region of the brainstem auditory pathways were demonstrated by BAEPs in 44.2%, and in 39.5% by NMR. As regards brainstem levels, in 15/21 (71.4%) with abnormal findings at least one lesion was verified by NMR-matched BAEP results. The study confirms the topographical information provided by the BAEPs on the different levels of the brainstem, but not the assumption that generation of the BAEPs is predominantly ipsilateral. BAEPs retain their importance for the detection of disseminated lesions in the diagnosis of multiple sclerosis (MS) in the era of expensive imaging methods.
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