Brain functions of an infant with hydranencephaly revealed by auditory evoked potentials

Hydranencephaly is a severe condition of brain characterized by the almost complete absence of the cerebral hemispheres with the thalamus, cerebellum and brainstem being preserved. This paper reports hydranencephaly in a 3-month-old boy. Cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed the condition and an auditory evoked potential study which was performed in order to investigate residual brain function. They showed normal auditory brainstem function but no appearance of other auditory evoked potentials originating from the higher brain.