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RESEARCH PRODUCT

Assessment of brainstem function in Chiari II malformation utilizing brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), blink reflex and masseter reflex

Dieter VothHanns Christian HopfAugust ErmertRainer BoorCordula HölkerPeter P. UrbanManfred SchwarzJürgen Koehler

subject

AdultMaleMeningomyeloceleAdolescentgenetic structuresCentral nervous systemSigns and symptomsSensitivity and SpecificityCentral nervous system diseaseDevelopmental NeuroscienceReflexEvoked Potentials Auditory Brain Stemotorhinolaryngologic diseasesmedicineHumansCorneal reflexChildBlinkingMasseter Musclebusiness.industryGeneral Medicinemedicine.diseaseArnold-Chiari Malformationmedicine.anatomical_structureChild PreschoolAnesthesiaPediatrics Perinatology and Child HealthReflexFemaleNeurology (clinical)BrainstembusinessJaw jerk reflexNormal brainstemBrain StemHydrocephalus

description

Brainstem dysfunction was evaluated in 67 patients with myelomeningocele and Chiari II malformation using brainstem auditory evoked potentials (BAEP), blink reflex (BR) and masseter reflex (MR). Signs and symptoms related to Chiari II malformation were observed in 18 patients while 49 patients had normal brainstem findings. BAEP and BR showed a higher sensitivity of brainstem involvement than MR (BAEP=1.0, BR=0.83, MR=0.50). BR, and in particular, MR were of higher accuracy (BR=0.52, MR=0.72) than BAEP (0.39) in separating patients with brainstem signs and symptoms related to Chiari II malformation. We feel that this is due to anatomic and physiologic peculiarities of the brainstem structures mediating BR and MR. Our results suggest that brainstem reflexes can support the decision of further treatment.

yearjournalcountryeditionlanguage
2000-10-01Brain and Development
https://doi.org/10.1016/s0387-7604(00)00162-5