Brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEPs) pathology in topographical diagnosis of posterior fossa lesions

The authors tried to determine the level of the brainstem where possible generators of various BAEPs waves could be situated by correlating clinical neurological symptomatology and/or cranial computed tomography findings of 195 patients with posterior fossa lesions with distinct BAEPs waves pathology. Results of statistical analysis showed a significant dependence between the levels of lesions as revealed by clinical symptomatology and/or cranial computed tomography and distinct BAEPs waves I-V pathology. Only indirect proof exists for the supratentorial origin of waves VI and VII. Because of the frequently normal function of hearing, as revealed by routine audiometry, in every group of patients with distinct BAEPs waves pathology, the authors also suggest that structures not involved in behavioral mechanisms of hearing could participate in BAEPs waves generation.