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Central auditory battery testing in brain stem disease
The Laryngoscope
|November 1, 1981
Summary
Computed tomography (CT) scans and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) tests are vital in otology. A normal CT scan may not rule out pathology, as BAER testing can detect early brainstem disease, potentially preventing severe outcomes like hemiplegia.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Otology
- Radiology
Background:
- Computed tomography (CT) scans and brainstem auditory evoked response (BAER) testing have significantly advanced otologic diagnostics.
- A common clinical assumption is that a negative CT scan report excludes underlying pathology.
Observation:
- The authors identified cases where BAER testing indicated progressive brainstem disease despite normal CT scan results.
- In one instance, abnormal BAER findings preceded the onset of hemiplegia by two weeks.
Findings:
- Central auditory pathway dysfunction can be detected by BAER testing even when CT scans appear normal.
- Early detection of brainstem disease through BAER may be possible before overt clinical symptoms manifest.
Implications:
- Relying solely on CT scans may lead to missed diagnoses of critical brainstem conditions.
- Early diagnosis of brainstem disease via BAER testing could potentially allow for timely intervention to delay or prevent cerebrovascular events such as infarcts.